Canadian wildfires may be posing “serious health risks’’ to people in New York — prompting an air-quality alert for the state through Monday and a warning for some regions into Tuesday.
The metro area’s current ailing air quality and hazy skies are hampering the five boroughs, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, eastern Lake Ontario and Central and Western New York regions, according to an alert issued Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Pollution from fine particulate matter fueled by the wildfires is expected to push the local Air Quality Index past 100, meaning it will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions.
In some areas, the index could go above 150 momentarily.
The tiny particles can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation along with coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. They can also worsen asthma and heart disease.
“New York continues to track air quality conditions across the state, and people in certain areas may notice visible smoke throughout the day,” Hochul said in a statement.
The advisory remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. Monday, but weather patterns are anticipated to bring more spikes in smoke in certain regions across the state Tuesday.
Officials urged everyone in sensitive groups to check their local Air Quality Index and take precautions, including limiting outdoor activity.
“Poor air quality can pose serious health risks — especially for those with heart conditions, lung diseases, such as asthma, young children, those over 65 years old, and pregnant individuals,” New York Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement.
“To reduce exposure, limit strenuous activity outdoors.”
The smoky situation is just the latest to cloud city skies this year. Multiple alerts were issued in June when ozone pollution and wildfire haze from Canada triggered warnings across the tri-state area.
More than 700 active wildfires are currently blazing across Canada, with roughly two-thirds of them still out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.
