Forest fires | Montreal under a blanket of smog

A thin layer of fog, a gray sky, pierced by a pale orange sun. In the air, a smell of “old ashes”, as described by this lady met at La Fontaine Park on Tuesday evening. Even in Montreal, it is impossible to ignore the dozens of forest fires ravaging the province.

Air quality deteriorated on Tuesday. In the city center of the metropolis, its index was 93 in the evening. From 50, it is considered bad.

Smoke from the Quebec fires even traveled as far as New York City on Tuesday, according to the New York Times.

If activity is slowed down in the streets and parks of the metropolis, city dwellers do not prevent themselves from living. “I’m not smoke-anxious,” summarized Jean-Pierre Laurin, crossed rue Sherbrooke Est, in front of Notre-Dame Hospital.

Same thing for Niki Lasserre, Eliot Etienne and Gabriel Moïse, seated in Jeanne-Mance Park, at the foot of Mount Royal. “It’s a shame to have fog, but whether it’s bad for us, we don’t know! exclaimed Eliot, smiling, cigarette in mouth.

A different story from that of Danyka Welcome, who came home from work with a mask, rue Sherbrooke.

“I went to see the air quality index, and it’s really bad,” she explained. The young woman is asthmatic. “I said to myself: why take a chance? Then, looking up at the sky, she said, “The sky is really gray.”

“Even the trees don’t look well”

Across the street, La Fontaine Park may have been less busy than usual, but cyclists and runners were crossing it.

Under the trees, two young children were throwing a rocket-shaped balloon to their mother. “We should have closed our windows, we are on the third floor,” explained Marine Compas. The air in the apartment is less breathable than in the park, she argues. “My husband worked all day on the computer, he had meetings and there he has a headache. She observed the surrounding greyness: “Of course it’s a little oppressive, but I’m not worried, it’s still light. »

Four-and-a-half-year-old Eva goes to meet Roxy, a two-year-old maltipoo. Who sneezes, says the mistress of the little dog. “Is it the pollen, the fires, I don’t know”, observes this lady. One thing is certain, according to her: “Everyone is affected. It’s been a shitty summer. It’s hot, cold, then this. There is a smell of old ashes. Even the trees don’t look well! »

“That’s no reason not to play! »

Health Montreal called on the population to be vigilant on Tuesday due to the smog caused by the forest fires. Fine particles in the air can particularly harm people with asthma, heart disease or respiratory problems, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

In the aftermath, training for sports teams has been suspended. Soccer Quebec notably suggested the complete cancellation of activities in regions where the air quality was considered “poor”.

A word that did not reach the team of Paul Dervaux, crossed at La Fontaine Park. During the day, he jogged in addition to playing soccer.

“In soccer, nobody talked to me about it,” he says. But my girlfriend, yes! He didn’t feel bothered by the smoke. “But from an ecologist and environmentalist point of view, yes,” he stressed.

A little further, the players of two softball teams, the Swingers and the Batmobiles, looked low. “We are all in depression”, launched Philippe Welch on our arrival.

They showed up for their game and learned, on the spot, that the grounds of the park were closed.

Meanwhile, all around, others were playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, spikeball, boxing, running, cycling…

“I have asthma, so I feel like it’s pulling a little,” Swingers member Elliott Nunes said. But that’s no reason not to play! »

At Jeanne-Mance Park, Breanna Clark, who lives alternately between Quebec and Beirut, Lebanon, was not too worried. But with the stormy wind making the trees dance in the deserted park, she couldn’t help but notice: “It feels like the apocalypse. »