Chilling timelapse video shows dramatic change in New York's skyline due to pollution from wildfires
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Featured Image Credit: Twitter / @NWSNewYorkNY
The National Weather Service has shared a horrifying time-lapse video of wildfire smoke consuming New York's skyline.
Hundreds of wildfires have been raging across Canada in recent weeks, seeing hundreds of thousands evacuated from their homes and smoke from the fires spread across the globe - reaching countries as far as Norway, according to scientists.
A time-lapse video shared by the National Weather Service (NWS) has revealed the impact of the smoke on Canada's neighbouring country, the United States, and in particular, the view of New York and it's skyline last week.
New York had the worst air quality of any major city in the world at various points on Wednesday and Thursday (7 and 8 June), reaching over 400 on the NWS' air quality index and classed as 'hazardous'.
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The NWS video was uploaded on 7 June and shows a time-lapse of New York's skyline from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
The post reads: "Check out this almost unbelievable time-lapse of wildfire smoke consuming the World Trade Center and the New York City skyline.
"Those vulnerable to poor air quality, including seniors and young children, should limit time outdoors if possible."
And people flocked to the footage shared by the NWS in shock, sharing their own experiences of the effects of Canada's wildfires.
One Twitter user wrote: "Wow.. I’m in Buffalo. My eyes are watering like crazy. Windows shut in my house. Unreal event happening."
"Not as bad here in central Virginia, but bad enough that many of us are coughing outdoors," another added.
While a third commented: "To me, who was on Ground 0 at 17:00 EDT with a painter's mask and bandanna, inhaled and experienced horrendous smoke. This wildfire smoke takes me to the horror. it's painful worst."
"This is mind-blowing," a fourth added.
And a final warned: "This may be the future as wildfires become more frequent."
Indeed, chair of Western University’s department of geography and environment, Katrina Moser, warned, as per The Guardian: "The snow is melting earlier and the vegetation is drier. If you have an ignition, whether it’s lightning, or humans, that fuel just burns up really quickly.
"This year is unusual, no question about it, but I think it’s also a bellwether of what we can expect in the future."
While - at the time of writing - the air quality levels in New York have since come down to 97 and are classed as 'moderate,' Moser emphasises the urgency for countries to work together to reduce fossil fuel emissions, adding scientists have been 'warning us about this for years'.
She resolved: "These fires are telling us something. We really need to take action right now.
"We need to get serious about reducing fossil fuel emissions."
Topics: News, Weather, New York, US News, Social Media, YouTube, Twitter, Environment
