As thick smog continues to envelop New York City from wildfires raging in Canada, residents are being warned to be careful if venturing outdoors as an air quality health advisory has been issued today.
The air quality index is sitting at 223 AQI, which places it into the second highest category of 'very unhealthy'.
At this level, the risk of health effects is increased for everyone, not just those who are vulnerable or have underlying health conditions.
New York Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan has warned: "Air quality conditions in NYC are getting worse and so we're escalating our recommendations.
"We continue to strongly recommend New Yorkers stay indoors, keep windows closed, and perform outdoor activities only if absolutely necessary.
"This is especially true for people who are more vulnerable: people with respiratory or heart conditions, older New Yorkers and very young New Yorkers.
"If you absolutely must be outside, wearing a high-quality mask (N95 or KN95) may help.
"But the best protection is to avoid being outside until the air clears. For New Yorkers who may be experiencing breathing problems, call 911.
"We are strongly recommending organisations cancel or postpone outdoor activities for this evening and tomorrow - or move them indoors.
"We are also recommending childcare and afterschool programs and non-public schools also run activities inside."
In attempt to combat the toxic pollution levels, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that around one million high-quality N95 masks will be made available to New Yorkers.
She said: "Every part of New York State has experienced unhealthy air quality in the last 24 hours as a result of the Canadian wildfires, and our number one priority right now is keeping New Yorkers safe.
"Prolonged exposure to this harmful air will cause negative health impacts, which is why we're making high-quality masks available at high-traffic areas across New York.
"I am encouraging everyone in impacted regions across the state to stay indoors and reduce your exposure to this harmful smoke until the air quality improves."
Masks will be available at: Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Fulton Center, Jamaica Station, Main Concourse of the Port Authority Bus Terminal (South Wing), Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in Harlem and Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx.
Eerie pictures taken as the sun rose over New York City show a hazy skyline, with skyscrapers barely visible through the orange smog.
An alert issued by the National Weather Service is in place until midnight EDT on Thursday night, June 8.
It covers: New York, Bronx, KIngs, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam.
Separate alerts are in palce for wider areas of the east coast as wildfire smoke spreads from Quebec and Nova Scotia.
A Code Red air quality alert is now in place for a third day as forecast show winds carrying the smoke are continuing to push the "hazardous" air south.
The forecast from the National Weather Service warns of smoke and haze continuing through Thursday, June 8, and into Friday, June 9.
The forecast for Thursday predicts: "Widespread haze. Widespread smoke, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy with a high near 72. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6mph in the afternoon."
This evening, there's: "A 30 per cent chance of showers before 9pm. Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday is expected to see "Widespread haze before 3pm", with no reports of smoke or haze beyond Friday evening currently.
As a result of the smog from the wildfires, New York continues to have the worst air quality among major cities across the globe - including Dehli.
Quebec currently has 137 fires still burning, with five fires in Nova Scotia.
The Barrington Lake wildfire in Shelburn County, one of the largest covering 234 square km (23,411 hectares) is currently classified as "being held".
There are four others in the Maritime province, with fires in Lake Road, Municipality of the District of Shelburn, Pubnico, Yarmouth County, Westwood Hills, Tantallon, and Hammonds Plains all under control with firefighters patrolling the area.
In the Halifax Regional Municipality there is a focus on extinguishing wildfire in forested areas.
Canadian officials have warned this could be the worst wildfire season on record for the country, with more than 6.7 million acres having already been scorched.
At least 13 US states have air quality alerts in place, impacting an estimated 115 million people.
