Thick smoke from wildfires burning across Canada have shrouded the Washington metropolitan area in neighboring United States, turning skies gray, obscuring urban landmarks, severely worsening air quality, and prompting health officials to urge residents to stay indoors.
The smoke is the latest plume to drift south from Canada, where massive wildfires have been burning for weeks across multiple regions.
On Friday, air quality in the Washington metropolitan area plunged into the "very unhealthy" range, the second-highest level on a five-tier alert scale, prompting the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to issue a Code Purple Air Quality Health Advisory for the entire area.
Seen from an elevated viewing spot in northern Virginia, about 10 kilometers from Washington D.C., the smoke blanketed the entire metropolitan area in a thick haze, sharply reducing visibility and obscuring local landmarks. The wildfires burning across the border are increasing concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), one of the pollutants most harmful to human health, along with other toxic substances, in the affected U.S. regions.
Local health experts issued urgent advisories early Friday, warning residents to remain indoors, keep windows closed, and avoid unnecessary travel. Those venturing outside were strongly advised to wear masks capable of filtering PM2.5.
The poor air quality visibly reduced foot traffic and outdoor activity across the area on Friday. Construction sites adjusted their schedules in response to the hazardous conditions.
At one local construction site, workers told a China Media Group (CMG) reporter they had been sent home early as conditions worsened throughout the day.
Local resident Jones Hardway, who lives near a military base, said she first learned of the severity of the air pollution through the morning news.
"I didn't notice the severity of it until earlier today. I haven't really been able to watch the news, been working so much, but I did see it on the news today about it. I happened to see some people wearing masks and stuff. I live on the military base, so I happened to see the guards and staff wearing masks," she told CMG.
Washington metropolitan area chokes from Canadian wildfire smoke
