Environment

Quebec Canada Fires Update: Smoke Reaching to East Coast of US

by Amy Judd | May 31, 2010 at 01:58 pm

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The Forest Fires Are Still Burning in Quebec Canada and the Smoke and Smog Can be Felt Down the East Coast of the United States

People in New England have noticed their air is hazier and smoky and it is all due to the 52 forest fires burning in Quebec Canada. Some residents have found the air quality so reduced down the East Coast that anyone with breathing problems had to take extra care when going outside. Fire departments were flooded with calls from people who thought the fires were close to them, then they were told they are not even burning in the same country.

Dr. Norman King from the public health department in Quebec discussed how bad the air was in the province:

"The air quality was poor enough that even a healthy person could feel signs of irritation," said King. "The eyes are usually the first to get it, the respiratory system. But those are passing symptoms. They will disappear when the air quality improves. It is not something that requires medical attention."

A smog warning was issued earlier on Monday for parts of Quebec and some residents from northern Quebec have had to be evacuated from their homes. On Monday afternoon in Ottawa however, the pollution index was lowered to about 53, compared to levels of over 100 earlier in the day. It is thought that the winds are helping to blow the smog away from there, but the effects of the fires are being felt further south. It is expected that rain later today and stronger winds will help to clear the air in the United States as well.

Eight of the 52 fires are still considered to be out of control in Quebec and according to the CBC, over 720 square kilometres of forest has been destroyed in one week.

The First Nations community of Wemotaci was evacuated last Thursday due to the fires and those residents have not been allowed to return home yet as the blaze in that region is still raging. No homes have been lost but several have been damaged and the fire was reported to be so hot that any water dropped by helicopters evaporated before it even reached the tip of the flames. The winds that are helping to blow the smoke away from the cities are also fueling the fires and firefighters need them to die down.

Some amateur videos capturing the Quebec Fires:

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

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Annie Goldberg (not verified)

at 05:41 on June 1st, 2010

I live in Providence, Rhode Island, and last evening a neighbor came over and told us the growing haze we were seeing was a result of uncontrolled fires in Quebec. We were incredulous. Today I see your report that it's true. I'm very sorry for all who are affected, especially those closest to the scene.