Wildfire smoke and air quality updates: Northeast flights disrupted

Air quality alerts have been issued for states across the Northeast.

ByIvan Pereira, Teddy Grant, and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: June 9, 2023, 2:56 PM EDT

Hazy and dangerous fumes from ongoing wildfires in Canada have engulfed the skies over much of the East Coast, prompting serious air quality alerts in over a dozen states.

Canadian officials said firefighters are scrambling to put out the blazes. So far this wildfire season, Canada has seen more than 8.7 million acres burned -- an area larger than the state of Vermont.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Jun 08, 2023, 6:56 AM EDT

Some NY, NJ school districts modify schedules

Some school districts in New Jersey and New York announced closures or updated schedules for Thursday amid the heavy smoke in the area.

In New York, school has been canceled in the Freeport, Long Beach and Yonkers districts, according to New York ABC station WABC.

In New Jersey, school has been canceled in the Newark, Elizabeth, Union and Orange districts, WABC reported.

Officials at Elizabeth Public Schools said they'd attempted to continue a normal schedule by holding indoor recess on Wednesday.

"As the day advanced and the air quality worsened, we consulted with both health officials who updated their recommendation to close school buildings tomorrow, Thursday, June 8," Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer said in a letter to parents.

Jun 08, 2023, 8:45 AM EDT

1 million N95 masks to be made available Thursday in New York

One million N95 masks will be made available for people at state sites in New York on Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.

Metro North railroad employee Jommy Mosquera hands out free N95 masks to people passing through Grand Central Terminal as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada continues to create unhealthy conditions in New York, June 8, 2023.
Justin Lane/EPA via Shutterstock

Officials will distribute 400,000 masks at MTA stations, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, state parks and the Javits Center, Hochul said. About 600,000 masks will be available from the state’s Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, the governor said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday visited New York City Housing Authority residents to deliver masks, according to his office, which released photos and a short video on Twitter.

-ABC News’ Darren Reynolds and Ahmad Hemingway

Jun 07, 2023, 10:21 PM EDT

Biden speaks to Trudeau about wildfires: White House

President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke Wednesday about the wildfires in Canada, the White House said.

Biden offered additional assistance and also discussed the health impact of the fires, according to the White House.

"To date, the United States has deployed more than 600 U.S. firefighters and support personnel, and other firefighting assets to respond to the fires," the White House said in a statement.

Trudeau also tweeted that "hundreds" of American firefighters have arrived in Canada, "and more are on the way."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Jun 07, 2023, 9:27 PM EDT

'Hamilton' and other Broadway shows canceled over health concerns

A number of shows on Broadway were canceled over health concerns of the actors, in the wake of the wildfire smoke blanketing NYC.

"Shakespeare in the Park," which is performed outside, was canceled, as well as "Hamilton" and "Camelot."

-ABC News' Darren Reynolds

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