NEW YORK – New York faced a statewide air quality alert on Saturday as smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada drifted south, blanketing the region in haze and reducing visibility.
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The alert, issued by the state’s environmental and health agencies, applies to New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Adirondack region. Residents were urged to remain indoors and limit outdoor exertion due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause respiratory issues and worsen existing conditions like asthma and heart disease.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) was projected to surpass 100, a threshold considered unhealthy for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Health experts warned that exposure to the smoke may lead to irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs, along with coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath.
The advisory is expected to remain active through Sunday.
This is the second time this summer that wildfire smoke has impacted New York, following a similar event in early June that brought heavy haze and ozone-related warnings to the tri-state area.
Canadian authorities report that over 3,300 wildfires have burned more than 14 million acres in 2025, with more than 50 blazes still uncontrolled as of late July.
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