NYC bracing for more smoke from Canadian wildfires as air quality index expected to worsen

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News
Updated ·2 min read
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Ready for Round 2, New York City?

The Big Apple is bracing for more pollution and air quality is predicted to take a dive as smoke from raging wildfires in Canada will drift to the Big Apple as soon as Wednesday night, say meteorologists.

Gov. Hochul warned Tuesday that high-risk populations, including children, older adults and those with underlying respiratory and cardiac conditions, should stay inside as much as possible and wear a mask when they’re outdoors.

There’s already an air quality health advisory in effect for the eastern Lake Ontario, central and western regions of New York.

“Smoke from Canadian wildfires is forecasted to significantly impact air quality across New York into tomorrow and Thursday,” Hochul said. “We continue to closely monitor conditions and will be distributing masks in regions impacted by the smoke.”

Rain over the past few days has kept the smoke largely at bay, said state Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos, but a cold front and accompanying winds from the Midwest are expected to bring the smoke to New York City by Thursday.

N95-style masks will be available free at various locations around the city, including Grand Central Station, Penn Station, Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn and the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

The smoke is expected to drift to the city late Wednesday or Thursday, according to Joe Pollina, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

“It does not look like it’s going to be as bad as last time,” he said, noting that the forecast is still somewhat uncertain.

Particulate matter in the smoke damages lungs if inhaled, making it dangerous to breath in if the Air Quality Index, or AQI, is very high.

If the AQI rises above 100, which means that the air is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” vulnerable New Yorkers should avoid outdoor exercise and take precautions when not inside. If the AQI rises above 150, all New Yorkers, regardless of their age or conditions, are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

It’s not yet known what the air will be like over the long Fourth of July weekend.

“It’s too early to tell what the air quality conditions will be like over the July 4 weekend,” Seggos said. “Smoke prediction is, as you can imagine, somewhat difficult. It’s kind of unreliable beyond 48 hours.”