Canadian Wildfire Smoke Impacts US Northeast Air Traffic

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has affected air traffic in parts of the northeastern United States, causing visibility issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented modifications and delays at airports in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The reduced visibility also led to slowed traffic bound for Philadelphia from the East Coast and Midwest. The FAA is continuously adjusting air traffic volume to adapt to changing conditions.

Canada is currently experiencing a serious wildfire situation, with a concentration of fires in Quebec. Over 9.4 million acres of land have already burned, and thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes. The wildfires are causing high levels of fine particulate matter in the air, leading to air quality alerts in several U.S. states.

Canadian officials are anticipating a higher-than-normal wildfire activity throughout the 2023 season due to ongoing drought and expected warm temperatures. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has emphasized the need for preparedness during what is projected to be one of the worst wildfire seasons on record.