Smoke from Canadian wildfires is beginning to seep over NYC

CITYWIDE — NEW YORK CITY’S Health and Emergency Management departments have issued a joint alert on the possibility of deteriorating air quality in the city due to fine particulate matter, PM2.5, from spreading wildfires in western Ontario, Canada. The plume is moving across New York state, and began to seep over the city early Wednesday. 

According to the National Weather Service, air quality in Brooklyn was expected to remain in the “orange” zone on Wednesday, ranging from 101-150 on a scale of 0-400, indicating the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. An air quality forecast was not available for Thursday at press time. A Heat Advisory, with temperatures peaking around 100 degrees, is also in effect through Wednesday. 

The safest place to be is in a cool, air-conditioned indoor space, Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell and Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said in a release. Call 311 or visit the NYC Cool Options Map to locate one.

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