Typically, alternative side parking rules in New York City only allow emergency pauses due to blizzards. Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has blanketed New York’s streets and put the city’s air quality among the worst in the world. As a result, the city officials made the unusual decision to Suspended alternative party parking on Thursday.
There have been a large number of wildfires in Quebec with CNN report There have been more than 400 wildfires in the Canadian province this year – double the normal average. The 150 wildfires currently raging across Quebec have devastated local communities and the impact has been felt far beyond Canada’s borders.
Smoke from wildfires has blanketed the northeastern region of the United States, significantly affecting daily life in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York City. America’s largest city has been hardest hit by the smoke. On Wednesday, the New York City Air Quality Index hit 484 out of a potential 500. The Air Quality Index is classified as hazardous when it exceeds 300.
In a press conference about the situation, Mayor Eric Adams said:
I want to be clear. While a significant improvement in conditions is likely on Friday morning, the predictability of distant smoke is low. The movement of this smoke is difficult to predict. As Commissioner Iscol previously stated, this is an unpredictable sequence of events and we are unable to provide guidance more than a day in advance at this time. Therefore, we encourage New Yorkers to stay at home, stay indoors, tonight and tomorrow whenever possible, especially our vulnerable New Yorkers.
Along with the temporary curbs on parking, the city also advises drivers to adhere to the posted speed limits Bridges over the Dong River because of poor visibility. The city has urged residents to stay indoors if possible, beaches have been closed and public schools have moved all planned outdoor activities indoors.
