Smoke from Canadian wildfires chokes MIAMI as smog from raging flames reaches as far south as Florida, with smoky haze over the state

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has reached southern Florida, engulfing Miami and creating smog, resulting in some of the unhealthiest air conditions in the US on Tuesday.

The smoke has spread across much of the Sunshine State, affecting areas from downtown West Palm Beach to downtown Miami, leading to hazy conditions and reduced air quality.

South Florida has been particularly affected, as its air quality has been classified as ‘unhealthy’. The fine smoke particles can have harmful effects on health because they penetrate deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream.

The smoky conditions in South Florida are the result of Canadian wildfire smoke spreading south through the atmosphere, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

According to meteorologists, the foggy skies are expected to continue for at least a few more days, likely through Wednesday.

Nearly the entire state of Florida experienced worsening air quality conditions on Tuesday, with some regions falling into the moderate to unhealthy range of the U.S. Air Quality Index, as reported by AirNow.

“The likelihood of being affected by particulate matter increases the more vigorous your activity and the longer you are outdoors,” according to an EPA information brochure on particulate pollution.

The effects of wildfire smoke can be seen in states along the southeastern U.S. and the Gulf Coast, but Florida is the only state with areas in red, indicating unhealthy air quality, according to the AirNow map.

Palm Beach County, western Broward County, Pompano Beach to Oakland Park and parts of Fort Lauderdale in northern Miami-Dade County have all been affected, with air quality ranging from unhealthy for sensitive groups to downright unhealthy.

Wildfire smoke poses a range of health risks, from eye and respiratory irritation to more serious conditions, including reduced lung function and worsening of pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions.

They also harm the environment by becoming established on land or in water, affecting ecosystems and nutrient balance.

To protect against poor air quality, health officials are advising people, especially children, teens, older adults and those with heart or lung conditions, to minimize outdoor activities and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.

By reducing the time you spend outdoors and choosing to walk instead of running, you can help limit exposure.

If rain doesn’t fall to clear the air, smoke could become stuck on the surface, leading to fog development, according to weather services.

In addition, smoke from Canadian wildfires reached New York City again on Monday, bringing hazy conditions and reduced air quality to the region.

Officials had warned residents Sunday to expect hazy conditions at sunrise, citing northerly winds that would bring several plumes of smoke back into the region.

Mayor Eric Adams sounded the alarm this weekend after forecasts suggested wildfire smog could reach the city at dawn Monday, causing noticeably hazy skies.

The smog was expected to remain above the surface, forecasters further warned — resulting in a clear, visible haze similar to that seen by New Yorkers in June.

Air quality levels were expected to reach well into the ‘moderate’ category.

Pictured: Smoke from wildfires engulfing a forest in the northern zone of the Canadian province of Quebec

In addition to the New York City region, many more cities were ranked in the orange category, including Albany, GA, Philadelphia, PA, Greater New Castle County, DE, and Yosemite National Park, CA

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoke inhalation can cause a variety of health effects, including headaches, sinus problems, difficulty breathing, fatigue and asthma attacks.

Taken from the country’s air quality index, a benchmark of 0-50 is generally accepted as good, while anything above 100 is generally considered unhealthy.

Last week, a pilot left a flight bound for Shetland, Scotland, after noticing a burning smell – which turned out to be smoke from a Canadian forest fire 1,300 miles away.

The Loganair flight to Sumburgh Airport returned to Aberdeen after the suspicious smell filled the cabin.

Another pilot declared an emergency as they landed at Shetland Airport and also reported smelling smoke during the journey on Thursday.

New York City was hit by smoke from Canadian wildfires in July, while the smog extended into southern Georgia.

Smoke from wildfires enveloped the city for a second time in July as tens of millions of people on the East Coast were exposed to potentially dangerous air.

The New York City region was among the top 10 cities with the most polluted air, due to plumes of smoke moving east from record-breaking fires that are still raging across Canada.

In July, some 235 wildfires started burning in Canada in just seven days, adding to the 1,183 fires that have destroyed 3,986 square kilometers of the country since April 1 this year.