Wildfire Smoke Prompts Event Cancellations Across Midwest and Northeast

Wildfire smoke from Canada spread across the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Friday, prompting air quality alerts and the cancellation of outdoor events in more than a dozen states.

Officials in Chicago posted that the city was experiencing its worst air quality in recorded history and urged residents to stay indoors or wear an N95 or KN95 mask if they went outside. The Detroit Health Department offered free masks and encouraged people to remain inside.

In Philadelphia, officials warned that everyone was likely to experience health effects from exposure to the smoke. DC Health distributed masks to government personnel working outdoors and closed outdoor pools and spray parks.

A baby parade in Flint, Michigan, a rock concert in Herndon, Virginia, and the America’s Mile marathon in Pittsburgh were among the events called off. The Cleveland Guardians game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the RowFest National Championships in Michigan were postponed or canceled.

Amusement parks including Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park in Pennsylvania shut down for the day. Traffic in Washington, DC, increased as more people drove instead of walking through smoke-filled streets.

Erin Cotton, a Washington, DC, mother, said her children’s summer camp canceled outdoor activities after the children arrived in swimsuits. She said all the kids had meltdowns. Abigail Nguyen, also in DC, said she planned to watch the World Cup final indoors with roommates instead of on the National Mall.

She said she could not see three blocks ahead and her eyes were stinging. Coty Jen, a chemical engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said smoke entered her office through window seams and doors, causing headaches and lung pain.

A storm system is expected to bring rain and southerly winds on Saturday that could clear the smoke by evening. Officials said thinner smoke plumes could return Sunday afternoon ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. Temperatures in the low 80s and mostly clear skies are forecast for the match, though some haze may remain.