Americans have witnessed an unusually bright red sun over the past week that has made for gorgeous photos – but the cause of the change is not as pleasing.
The starling color was due to 84 wildfires burning through parts of Canada, specifically in Alberta, and will persist for at least a few more days.
Smoke from the relentless fires traveled up to 2,000 miles, creating a hazy filter over the sun, making it appear fire engine red.
Residents in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Illinois and Iowa are just some of those who have witnessed the blood-red sun.
Meteorologists said smoke particles are being carried across the US by a jet stream blowing into the northeastern regions, causing poor air quality.
The ominous red sun, however, has been visible for the past week and is set to persist for a few more days. Pictured is the amazing red sun hanging over New York City
New Jersians woke up Monday to a red-colored sun. This has happened for more than one week and will persist for at least a few more days
The starling color was due to 84 wildfires burning through parts of Canada, specifically in Alberta, and will persist for at least a few more days. Here is the red sun seen by a Daily Mail staffer who lives in New York City
The blazing red color is due to smoke filtering out shorter wavelengths of light, allowing just red and orange wavelengths to shine. And the sun is also dimmer because of the thick smoke blowing in from Canada.
The wildfires have caused nearly a million acres to burn in Western Canada, mainly in Northwest Alberta Province. And more than 30,000 people have already evacuated the area to avoid the fires.
The blazes started because Canada experienced an unusually dry spring coupled with a heatwave.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Montana deemed the air quality ‘very unhealthy’ and advises people to stay indoors if possible.
And the same type of warning has been issued for eastern Colorado.
‘If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood, you may want to remain indoors,’ the advisory warned. ‘This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly.’
Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality also warned air quality would remain ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ through Monday.
However, the NWS in New York said smoke drifts at more than 20,000 feet and will not cause any health issues to anyone with respiratory ailments in the northeastern US.
While Canadians battle the blazes, Americans have witnessed red sunrises and sunsets for over a week.
Residents in New York, New Jersey (pictured), Chicago, Illinois and California are just some of those who have witnessed the blood-red sun
A satellite image shared by NWS shows smoke flowing across the northern US and blanketing the eastern states with pollutants
‘Check out the very red sun rising over New York City. This is due to all of the wildfire smoke traveling above us from wildfires in Canada,’ the NWS posted to their Twitter account.
This prompted others to share stunning images of the sunrise and sunsets that look like they were taken with a camera filter.
A satellite image shared by NWS shows smoke flowing across the northern US and blanketing the eastern states with pollutants.
Alberta authorities hope cooler temperatures and showers forecast for the coming week will help firefighters battling blazes in the oil-rich Canadian province, although storms could complicate efforts.
This year, Alberta Wildfire responded to 496 wildfires burning more than two million acres, compared with just 1,134 in 2022.
Christie Tucker, information unit manager at Alberta Wildfire, said in a statement: ‘This year’s total was nearly 2,000 times last year.’
Residents in Iowa have also seen a blood-red sun
And people living in Long Island have also seen the red sun
Over 100 wildfires have caused nearly a million acres to burn in Western Canada, mainly in Northwest Alberta Province. The smoke is traveling across the US into states like Illinois
The ominous red sun, however, has been visible for the past week and is set to persist for a few more days.
This year’s record-high temperatures and lack of rain have led to widespread fires in Canada.
Alberta has been hit the hardest, with some 275 houses, businesses and other properties damaged and over 10,000 people forced out of their homes as of Friday.
Josee St-Onge, Alberta Wildfire information officer, said in an interview with CBC Saturday morning that fire crews are continuing their work.
‘Good progress on many of these wildfires, building containment lines and fire guards around communities, but we’re expecting another challenging day today,’ she said
‘It’s definitely going to be a long haul. Fires that are this size burn very intensely.’