New Yorkers could wake up to hazy skies Monday morning as smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires is expected to reach the Big Apple by sunrise.
New York City officials sounded the alarm Sunday over the potential plume of wildfire smoke two days after Mayor Eric Adams faced backlash for not issuing a more forceful warning leading up to heavy rain that flooded parts of the city Friday.
Current forecasts indicate the Air Quality Index will be about 55, which means “there may be some risk to people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution,” the city said in a press release.
“While we continue to actively monitor potential air quality concerns for Monday morning, currently, the impacts are projected to be mild, though New Yorkers will likely see hazy skies in the morning,” Adams said in a statement.
“Throughout the day tomorrow, New Yorkers should listen to their bodies, especially if they have any preexisting health conditions and take any necessary precautions to ensure they stay safe. We will continue to update New Yorkers as forecasts solidify,” the mayor added.
NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said while the state has not issued any health alerts for Monday, “everyone should stay informed and take appropriate precautions.”
The smoky start of the week comes more than three months after the city was engulfed in “unhealthy” air and blanketed in an eery orange haze from Canadian wildfires. The last time the air quality dipped to such poor levels was several decades ago.
New Yorkers wore masks over their mouths and noses while traveling outside and several events across the five boroughs were canceled as a result of the unhealthy conditions.
The Adams administration was criticized in June for not adequately preparing city dwellers for the extreme air conditions — similar to Friday’s backlash in which the mayor’s team faced heat for not properly addressing the potential damage tied to heavy rainfall.
