Wildfire Smoke Traps NYT Reporter's Family Indoors on 1st Day of Vacation
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 5
Wildfire Smoke Traps NYT Reporter's Family Indoors on 1st Day of Vacation
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 5
Summary
Hazardous air in western Michigan upended a family trip almost immediately, forcing a New York Times travel reporter, her husband and their 2 children to stay inside instead of visiting the beach.
Smoke from vast Canadian wildfires had already blanketed Chicago on arrival and shrouded the 3-hour drive to Glenn, Mich., where forecasts warned conditions were unsafe for children outdoors.
Air purifiers brought by relatives underscored how severe the smoke had become, as sealed windows, canceled outdoor plans and improvised grocery runs replaced the family reunion they had traveled for.
The disruption came after the family left Geneva amid nearly 104-degree heat and European wildfires, underscoring how a summer of fires, heat waves and travel chaos is spilling into personal travel.