What is happening? Apocalyptic scene, New York is covered in fog

Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada blanketed entire regions in the northeastern US, and authorities asked vulnerable groups of citizens to avoid going outside.

In Canada, there are hundreds of active fires in the western provinces as far as Quebec. US authorities have issued air quality warnings as smoke and low visibility conditions are also reported across the Great Lakes, from Cleveland to Buffalo.

The US Environmental Protection Agency said the effects would likely last for days.

The fires in the Quebec area are large and are about 800 to 970 kilometers from Rhode Island. Fires in Nova Scotia followed, prompting an air quality alert on May 30.

Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Upton, Long Island, explained that the winds that carried the smoke to New York will likely continue to blow in the same direction for days to come.

Air quality warnings include particulate matter known as 'PM 2.5' which causes irritation to the respiratory system.