Canada Wildfire Smoke In West Orange: 2 Days Of Haze (Update)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The days of haze continue in West Orange.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has extended an air quality alert across the state for a second day, including in West Orange, as smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to waft across the northern U.S.

The level of air quality has risen to “unhealthy” levels, and is expected to remain elevated into Thursday night, the NJDEP said. Read More: When Will Smoke Clear In NJ? What To Expect

“This remains a developing situation, and the forecast will continue to be monitored closely,” state officials said.

West Orange's air quality index (AQI) was listed as “very unhealthy” as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to AirNow.gov, a searchable database.

On Wednesday, NJDEP officials said some people may experience negative health effects from breathing the air, while others who are sensitive to pollution – including those with heart/lung disease, the elderly and the young – may see more serious health impacts. Regardless of their risk level, people should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time they spend outdoors, especially in the evening hours.

The warning will continue for people with sensitivities on Thursday, officials added.

West Orange township officials posted the following message about the situation on Tuesday:

"The West Orange Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have confirmed that the current smoke and haze situation experienced by West Orange residents is as a result of the Canadian wildfires. It is currently impacting air quality throughout the Northeast. Residents should be assured that there is no fire related situation in West Orange that is causing the issue but should remain vigilant regarding any local fires as usual. Fire and police will continue to monitor the situation and advise the public of any needed updates."

In West Orange, the local public school district canceled outdoor recess and other outdoor activities during and after school on Wednesday.

The decision was made “due to the current conditions in our area and out of concern for the respiratory health of our students and staff,” administrators said. “Thank you for your understanding.”

Based on the current conditions and in the interest of safety, the district will conduct an early dismissal schedule on Thursday, June 8. In addition, all outdoor activities will be canceled for the day. Read the district's full message here.

West Orange wasn’t the only town and city in Essex County that caught whiffs of smoke. Other reports included:

BELLEVILLE

Belleville town officials released the following statement on Wednesday:

"Wildfires are currently spreading across the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. These wildfires are affecting the air quality throughout the Northeastern United States, including New Jersey. Essex County has also been impacted. Exposure to air pollutants can be hazardous to anyone, especially among sensitive populations including seniors, children, and those with compromised immune systems or lung diseases. The National Weather Service Office Philadelphia/ MT. Holly has issued an air quality alert for regions of the state, including our county. Refer to weather.gov/phi for more information."

The smoke also impacted Belleville schools, administrators reported:

"Due to continued concerns with air quality, all students will remain indoors again, tomorrow Thursday, June 8, 2023. The originally scheduled Rising 7th Grade Meet & Greet has been rescheduled for Monday, June 12. School 4's Field Day has been rescheduled for June 19. We will continue to monitor the ongoing situation."

BLOOMFIELD

The Bloomfield Environmental Commission posted a social media message about the issue on Tuesday evening. It read:

“The haze enveloping Bloomfield this afternoon is smoke from massive and unprecedented wildfires burning across Canada. Air quality alerts have been issued for our area due to unhealthy levels of air pollution from fine particles in the wildfire smoke. The unhealthy air is expected to continue thru Wednesday and possibly thru the end of the week. Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors. Over eight million acres of forest in Canada have been burned by wildfires so far this month, an unprecedented amount that is ten times the average amount of land burned this early in the wildfire season. Wildfires all over the world - including New Jersey - are occurring earlier and are becoming more frequent, more intense -- and more destruction - due to the [effects] of drier and hotter conditions caused by climate change.”

Bloomfield township officials also issued a message about the situation on Tuesday:

"Please be advised that due to the wildfires in Canada, local air quality has become significantly compromised. An orange alert was issued for almost all of New Jersey by mid-afternoon Tuesday as conditions become unhealthy for young children, the elderly, and people with underlying lung conditions such as asthma, COPD and emphysema, according to data from the state Department of Environmental Protection."

EAST ORANGE

The City of East Orange issued a "special weather statement" about the wildfires and smoke on Tuesday.

"Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors," city officials advised.

FAIRFIELD

The Fairfield Police Department sent an Nixle alert around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, advising people with respiratory issues to stay indoors.

“The police desk has been receiving multiple reports of smoke and a burning odor all throughout town,” authorities said. “This condition is caused by wildfires that are currently burning in Canada, this afternoon's weather has pushed the smoke towards the ground. Those with respiratory issues or sensitivity to poor air quality should remain indoors with their windows closed. In the event of a fire or if you see smoke and you are not sure of its origin, please call 911.”

MILLBURN

“Thick smoke associated with Canadian wildfires is moving across Northeast Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey this hour,” the Township of Millburn stated in an advisory to residents on Tuesday at 5:50 p.m.

“It will continue through the evening and into the overnight,” Millburn officials noted, citing National Weather Service reports. “The smoke will continue to move south overnight. Air quality alerts are in effect.”

MONTCLAIR

The Montclair Health Department issued the following advisory at 8:32 p.m. on Tuesday:

“The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Action Day for the following counties – Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Union – until midnight EDT Wednesday night. An Air Quality Action day for Particulate Matter has been declared for Tuesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 7. Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors. Levels of fine particulates will rise into unhealthy for sensitive groups category statewide today and Wednesday and likely last into the evening hours both days due to wildfire smoke transport from eastern Canadian wildfires. For more information on the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index (AQI) please [click here].”

NEWARK

Flight delays were seen at Newark Airport on Wednesday due to the ongoing wildfire smoke situation.

Departures to Newark saw ground delays that averaged 82 minutes due to “low visibility,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The current smoke condition may impact your travel,” the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey tweeted at 12:12 p.m. “Please check with your airline to determine the status of your flight.”

• See Related: Wildfire Smoke Delays Newark Airport Flights, FAA Says

The situation surprised local residents and visitors. “Why is the whole Newark filled with smoke?” one person tweeted at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday. “TF going on…”

“I’m in a nearby county from Newark,” another person replied. “The sky is literally yellow.”

“It’s all over,” someone else tweeted. “I drove from East Hanover to Newark earlier and it was a haze and a smell like burning rubber everywhere. Try to stay inside if you can.”

John Muller, a North Jersey resident who lives near the airport, said the situation has gone from a "curiosity" to a "health emergency" for many people.

"Here in Clifton, the sky has turned a golden yellow and the smell is terrible," Muller told Patch on Wednesday. "We're wearing masks inside of our home. And with our health issues, this is a bad situation for us ... and for thousands of people around our area."

Anthony Broccoli, an atmospheric scientist at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, said the “unusual situation” is the results of a combination of wildfires in eastern Canada and a persistent weather pattern that is bringing the smoke from those fires south across the area.

“There's another wave of heavier smoke that is just moving into northwestern New Jersey now and spreading south, southeastward,” Broccoli added. “I expect that things in much of New Jersey will get worse before they get better.”

• See Related: Air Hits 'Unhealthy' Level In Newark Due To Wildfire Smoke (Update)

NUTLEY

The Township of Nutley released a statement about the situation on Tuesday:

"Please be advised that due to the wildfires in Canada, local air quality has become significantly compromised. An orange alert was issued for almost all of New Jersey by mid-afternoon Tuesday as conditions become unhealthy for young children, the elderly, and people with underlying lung conditions such as asthma, COPD and emphysema, according to data from the state Department of Environmental Protection."

WEST CALDWELL

The West Caldwell Police Department commented on the situation in an Nixle alert sent at 6:42 p.m. on Tuesday. Police wrote:

“We are aware of the smoke conditions and burning odor in the area. The conditions are partially due to smoke drifting down the East Coast from the large Canadian wildfires. Please call 911 if you see a fire. Air quality conditions are expected to be poor in our area for the next couple of days due to the fires and dry weather. Please use caution when doing outside activities. Again, if you see a fire, dial 911 immediately.”

• See Related: Canada Wildfires Lead To Air-Quality Alerts In U.S.: How To Stay Safe

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