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:
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."
Latest forecast
Waves of smoke will continue to move south Thursday from New York City to Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
By Friday morning the AQI levels will drop for New York City. Smaller smoke plumes will linger from Detroit to Pittsburgh to D.C.
By Saturday and Sunday, the winds will begin to switch and blow smoke away from the U.S.
-ABC News' Max Golembo
What you need to know about the dangers of inhaling wildfire smoke
Air quality is measured by the Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500. A higher level indicates a greater level of pollution and health concern.
Levels under 100 are generally considered safe.
Totals were over 400 in New York City on Wednesday.
Click here for more information.