Wildfire smoke in Canada leads to rescheduling of MLB and MLS games

Wildfire Smoke Causes Orange Skies and Poor Air Quality Across the US

Smoke from roughly 900 wildfires burning in Canada is resulting in hazardous air quality and unsettling orange skies in the Midwest and Northeast. Correspondent Katie Byrne is providing updates from Cleveland, highlighting how cities such as New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are being heavily affected, though relief may be on the way.

Sports events have already faced delays due to the poor air quality. A couple of games, including one from Major League Baseball and another from Major League Soccer, had to be postponed as a result of these conditions.

In light of the ash in the atmosphere, residents are being advised to remain indoors and don masks if they need to step out. Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was supposed to make his MLS debut, but the unfavorable air conditions led to the postponement of the Chicago Fire’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies announced just a few hours before the game’s start time that they would be moving their matchup against the New York Mets an hour earlier due to air quality concerns.

Interestingly, the National Women’s Soccer League match at Citi Field garnered a record attendance of 42,175. However, criticism surfaced regarding the game’s pacing, with player Trinity Rodman expressing discontent over the frequent hydration breaks. She noted, “If you have to take a hydration break every 15 minutes, you shouldn’t be playing, that’s just my take,” although she acknowledged the large crowd.

In total, three MLB games have been postponed across New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. because of pollution concerns. The air quality in the tri-state area is rated as “unhealthy,” raising worries about its impact on the upcoming World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.

New Jersey’s Governor Mikie Sherrill has taken action by directing transportation authorities to distribute masks at various locations along the Turnpike and Parkway in response to air quality issues.