Wildfire smoke continues to blanket New York City, creating unhealthy air quality even as temperatures ease slightly.

The National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert until the end of the day Thursday as smoke from Canadian wildfires moves across the region.

What You Need To Know

Thursday’s Air Quality Index is forecast to reach around 200, which would mark the city’s worst wildfire smoke event since June 2023

Health officials recommend limiting outdoor activity, especially for children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease

Even though temperatures are a little lower, the city has extended heat emergency operations

Smoke and heat are expected to improve Friday, with showers on Saturday that could bring “dirty rain”

The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach around 200, well above the alert threshold of 101. If the forecast holds, it would be the city’s worst smoke event since June 2023, when skies turned orange and the Air Quality Index peaked at 480.

At that level, the air is considered unhealthy for everyone. Health officials recommend that all New Yorkers limit strenuous outdoor activity, while children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease should avoid unnecessary time outside. Anyone who must be outdoors is encouraged to wear a well-fitting KN95 or N95 mask.

Canadian wildfire smoke continues to thicken over the area into tonight, likely lingering into the end of the week. Expect both near-surface air quality and visibility to worsen this afternoon. This satellite loop shows both smoke (gray/brown) and clouds (white) in the region. pic.twitter.com/PDv40kafgA

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 15, 2026

The city is distributing free KN95 masks at all NYPD precincts, public library branches and select FDNY firehouses across the five boroughs.

Although high temperatures are expected to remain in the low 90s, city officials have extended heat emergency operations through Thursday.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is keeping hundreds of cooling centers open, providing free, air-conditioned spaces that also protect against wildfire smoke. Residents can find cooling center locations by calling 311 or using the city’s online cooling center finder.

Additionally, thousands of LinkNYC kiosks will display directions to the nearest cooling center within a 10-minute walk.

Photo from our office today, with the sky obscured by a thick layer of smoke. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow and air quality will once again approach or exceed unhealthy standards, so it is advised to reduce extraneous outdoor activity. pic.twitter.com/LAEGE5KvoT

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) July 15, 2026

Public beaches remain open daily with lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the FDNY is continuing to provide free spray caps at firehouses for adults 18 and older to safely convert fire hydrants into sprinklers.

New Yorkers can find more outdoor cooling options by visiting Cool It NYC and checking out NY1’s guide to the city’s pools and beaches.

.@NYCWater @FDNY Fire hydrants without spray caps are illegal/dangerous. Adults can obtain free spray caps at firehouses. Report open fire hydrants to 311.

— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) July 14, 2026

However, because of the poor air quality, officials recommend choosing indoor cooling centers instead of outdoor pools, beaches or spray showers.

NYC Health + Hospitals cooling vans are also on the streets, providing water, electrolytes, medical assistance, meals and transportation to cooling centers.

The Department of Social Services has extended Code Red heat outreach and activated Code Grey procedures for poor air quality. Outreach teams are encouraging people experiencing homelessness to move indoors, distributing masks and providing transportation to shelters and cooling centers.

Smoke and heat are expected to ease Friday. Showers are forecast Saturday and could produce “dirty rain,” as rainfall washes smoke particles from the atmosphere, leaving soot and dust on vehicles and other outdoor surfaces.