Wildfire smoke from far-away Canadian wildfires continued to smother New Jersey on Thursday, as state and local leaders urged residents to stay inside to avoid breathing in the harmful air. State Department of Health Commissioner Judith Perischilli said 143 people had been admitted to hospitals around the state with asthma-related issues on Wednesday, well above the number of cases admitted on an average day.
The smoke led to school closures and to outdoor activities being scratched. It also disrupted travel as the Federal Aviation Administration ordered delays on flights bound for Newark airport. The smoke is forecast to move out of the area soon, though air quality was forecast to remain poor through Friday at least.
