An air quality alert has been issued for parts of the New York City metro area and lower Hudson Valley Friday, July 17, as fine particulate pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke continues to affect the region, according to the National Weather Service in Upton.
The alert is in effect until midnight for Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties, as well as New York City’s five boroughs and Long Island.
What are forecasters saying about New York air quality?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an Air Quality Health Advisory after forecasting Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 100 because of elevated fine particulate matter in the air.
An AQI above 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported the Lower Hudson Valley’s AQI at 70 as of 6:45 a.m. Friday, indicating moderate air quality. New York City’s AQI was 148, which falls into the unhealthy for sensitive groups category.
State health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity and wearing a well-fitting N95 mask if exposure to wildfire smoke cannot be avoided. Anyone experiencing breathing problems or worsening symptoms should contact a health care provider.
Why is New York’s air quality being affected?Canada wildfires smoke fills NYC area skies. See photos
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Canada wildfires smoke is effecting the Lower Hudson Valley as seen looking westbound on Interstate 84 in the Town of Southeast July 15, 2026.
(Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)
The advisory is for fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is being carried south by wind patterns from more than 830 wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada, and parts of Minnesota.
Smoke has created hazy skies across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic since Wednesday, July 15. Patchy smoke and reduced air quality could continue through Saturday.
National Weather Service meteorologists said conditions in New York are not expected to be as severe as in 2023, when thousands of wildfires in Ontario and Quebec caused some of the worst air quality levels ever recorded in parts of the region.
Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and worsen heart and lung conditions. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or respiratory illnesses are among those most vulnerable.
How to protect yourself from poor air quality
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends limiting time outdoors when the AQI exceeds 100, especially for people in sensitive groups.
Additional steps to reduce exposure include:
Keep windows and doors closed.
Use an indoor air purifier if available.
Run air conditioning on the recirculate setting with a high-efficiency filter.
Avoid activities that increase indoor air pollution, such as vacuuming, burning candles, frying food or using gas appliances.
Clean dust with a damp cloth instead of dry dusting.
Wear a well-fitting N95 mask if you must spend extended time outdoors during periods of poor air quality.
What the Air Quality Index means
The AQI measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 500. Higher numbers indicate greater health risks.
0-50 (Good): Air quality is satisfactory with little or no health risk.
51-100 (Moderate): Air quality is acceptable, though unusually sensitive people may experience effects.
101-150 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups): Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions may experience health effects.
151-200 (Unhealthy): Everyone may begin experiencing health effects, with greater risks for sensitive groups.
201-300 (Very unhealthy): Health alert; everyone may experience more serious effects.
301-500 (Hazardous): Emergency conditions; everyone should avoid outdoor activity.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Air quality alert issued for NYC, Hudson Valley as Canadian wildfire smoke lingers