Warning to travellers flying to New York amid Canada wildfires

Travellers heading to New York have been warned that they could face delays as flights have been impacted from the smoke from Canadian wildfires. A haze of smoke has spread across the US east coast and the mid-west as Canadian officials fight more than 400 blazes nearby.

Flights have been delayed at major airports due to the smoke, along with Major League Baseball games, while residents in New York have been advised to limit outdoor activities. The air quality in the city is reaching nearly hazardous levels.

On Wednesday The Federal Aviation Administration paused some flights bound for LaGuardia Airport and slowed planes to Newark Liberty and Philadelphia because the smoke was limiting visibility. It also contributed to delayed arrivals at Dulles International Airport outside Washington.

READ MORE: Children ‘fighting for life’ after stabbing at French playground

Delays are set to continue on Thursday, The FAA warned. It wrote on Twitter: “Reduced visibility from wildfire smoke will continue to impact air travel today. We will likely need to take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into New York City, DC, Philadelphia and Charlotte.”

The expanses of unhealthy air have extended as far as North Carolina and Indiana, affecting millions of people. On Thursday (June 6) the Air Quality Index (AQI), which features six levels of concern, stated the current air quality in New York was classed at level five - ‘very unhealthy’. This means that “the risk of health effects is increased for everyone”.

Canadian officials say this is shaping up to be the nation’s worst wildfire season ever. It started early on drier-than-usual ground and accelerated very quickly, exhausting firefighting resources across the country, fire and