Washington DC has declared a 'red code' due to dangerous air pollution levels. The cause: abnormal heat and massive Independence Day fireworks.
According to RIA Novosti, after 40 minutes of fireworks, the city center remained covered in thick smoke for a long time.
Local services warned: 'Red air quality code. Outdoor air is dangerous for the elderly, children, and people with chronic diseases.'
Authorities recommend minimizing outdoor exposure. Recent days saw record high temperatures: about 40°C, the highest for July 4 since 1898.
Organizers of the celebrations aimed for 'the most magnificent fireworks display in history.' The show took place from 10 different sites, with a total of 850,000 launches.
