Smoke From Canadian Wildfires May Affect New York City Air Quality Beginning Wednesday

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) today issued an advisory alerting New Yorkers to the possibility of deteriorating air quality due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from significant, still-spreading wildfires in western Ontario, Canada.

Visible smoke aloft is expected over New York City beginning Wednesday. The smoke plume is currently moving slowly across New York State, and the timing and extent of any ground-level impacts in the city remain uncertain. There may be temporary spikes in air quality levels, but these are currently expected to be at levels below air quality health advisory triggers. NYC Emergency Management will share updates as they become available.

This smoke event coincides with an ongoing heat wave.

A Heat Advisory is in effect through Wednesday, which is forecast to be the hottest day, with temperatures near 100°F and a heat index of up to 102–103°F. An Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone is already in effect today, Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 105 — “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Wildfire smoke would add fine particulate pollution on top of existing ozone levels.