Canadian Wildfires Bring Smoke (and Memes) to the East Coast

Ada Elder

Jun 8, 2023 12:30 PM EDT

I like working outside. On Tuesday, June 6, while typing away in my modest backyard, the hazy air (which I had attributed to unpleasant New York City summers) started to smell like a campfire. Shortly after, I learned the haze and accompanying smell hailed all the way from Canada, where wildfires are ravaging the forests. Though these fires are an expected natural occurrence in both Canada and the United States, the intensity and number of fires are both unprecedented, and smoke from Ontario and Quebec has drifted South to the Northeast United States.

Tuesday's smoky air went from "unhealthy" to hazardous on Wednesday, with AQI ratings that reached over 400 in some areas of NYC - the worst air quality in the world. As authorities urged people to stay inside for their safety, and businesses closed, people started making memes about the apocalyptic vibes shrouding the city and surrounding areas. While some memes compare the orange, smoggy sky to their favorite video games and movies (Blade Runner 2049, anyone?), while others are making more geographical jokes or jokes about living through the apocalypse once again.

While we're not excited about climate change making itself even more known, or about wearing N95 masks again, we'd be lying if we didn't say we enjoyed the memes. We're not liars, though, and we've got the memes to prove it. Stay safe, Northeast.