July 9, 2002 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Northeastern states advised people with heart trouble or breathing problems to avoid the outdoors Monday because of a smoky haze hanging over the region from forest fires burning hundreds of miles away in Canada.
Winds pushed the smoke as far south as Washington, D.C., and from Michigan to Massachusetts over the weekend.
"It smelled like someone's house was burning down," said John Agee, a graduate student at the University at Albany in New York.
"I've been sneezing a lot more and my eyes have been running," said Jeffrey Scott, 34, a newspaper sales executive, as he walked along Boston's waterfront. "I get bad allergies."
More than 80 fires were burning Monday southeast of James Bay in Quebec, 200 to 400 miles north of the U.S. border. Most were started by lightning since July 2.
Health officials in New York, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania urged people - especially those with respiratory or heart conditions - to avoid strenuous activity outdoors. Authorities also suggested people keep their windows closed and use their air conditioners to filter the air.
John Rich, medical director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said those already suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma should avoid physical exertion. "We expect any particles in the air could make that worse," he said.
Air quality concerns prompted Harrisburg, Pa., to cancel a Sunday night fireworks show over the smoke-shrouded Susquehanna River.
Forecasters said a wind shift would move much of the haze away from the region Monday. But with drier air forecast later in the week, the smoke could return.
Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
