Wildfire smoke and air quality updates: Northeast flights disrupted
Air quality alerts have been issued for states across the Northeast.
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:
White House postpones Pride event
The White House has postponed the Pride celebration set to take place on the South Lawn on Thursday due to the unhealthy air quality.
The largest-ever White House Pride celebration will now take place on Saturday afternoon.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez
Nationals game in DC postponed
Thursday's MLB game in Washington, D.C., between the Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks has been postponed due to the air quality.
The makeup game will be held on June 22.
National Zoo closes as dangerous air hits DC
The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is closed on Thursday as dangerous smoke moves through the capital.
"Today's air quality is extremely unhealthy," the Department of Energy & Environment warned. "Everyone should stay indoors as much as possible, especially sensitive groups such as children, elderly, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis."
LaGuardia, Philadelphia-bound flights paused from Northeast, Ohio, Mid-Atlantic
Flights from the Northeast, Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic bound for the Philadelphia International Airport and New York City's LaGuardia Airport have been paused due to the smoke, the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday morning.
The FAA cautioned, "We will likely need to take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into New York City, DC, Philadelphia and Charlotte."
What to know about the Air Quality Index from wildfire smoke and how it affects human health
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which are microscopic solid or liquid droplets -- often 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, according to the EPA.
PM2.5 is considered unhealthy for "Code Orange" and sensitive groups once the Air Quality Index surpasses 100, according to AirNow, a website that publishes air quality data. Once the AQI surpasses 150, it is considered "Code Red," unhealthy for some members of the general public who may experience health effects, with sensitive groups experiencing more severe effects.
Click here to learn more.
-ABC News' Julia Jacobo
