Thousands evacuated as record wildfire season rages

New York skyline vanishes in worst outbreak of smoke on eastern seaboard in 20 years

Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires blazed across Canada on Wednesday, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over US cities.

Wildfires are common in Canada’s western provinces, but this year flames have mushroomed rapidly in the country’s east, making it the worst-ever start to the season.

About 3.8 million hectares have already burned, some 15 times the 10-year average, said federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair.

“Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are out of control,” he said.

The giant eastern province of Quebec is the worst affected.

Quebec premier Francois Legault said the province could fight 40 fires at the same time.

“But we have 150 fires so we have to focus on the most urgent,” he told reporters.

On the US eastern seaboard, New York’s famous skyline, usually visible for miles, vanished in an otherworldly haze, airline traffic slowed, outdoor activities across the coastal area were canceled and millions of Americans stayed indoors as the smoke drifted south, blanketing cities in thick, yellow haze.

Health officials from Vermont to South Carolina and as far west as Ohio and Kansas warned that time spent outdoors could cause respiratory problems.

Hundreds of US firefighters have already arrived in Canada and more are on their way.

“We’re seeing more and more of these fires because of climate change. These fires are affecting everyday routines, lives and livelihoods, and our air quality,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted.

Around 11,400 people have been evacuated so far from remote parts of northern Quebec and another 4,000 will be evacuated soon, Legault said.