The Potentially Long-Term and Fatal Consequences of Wildfire Smoke

A haze over the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument on the National Mall as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in Washington on June 7, 2023. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

This first week of June, a dense, smoky haze blanketed the skies of the Northeast due to wildfires in Canada. The gray skyline, reminiscent of scenes from Star Wars, has raised concerns among medical professionals because poor air quality causes a cascade of health complications.

Health experts warn individuals with asthma or respiratory issues to exercise extreme caution. They also emphasize the importance for everyone, regardless of health status, to avoid densely polluted areas if possible.