Smoke from ongoing wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba has led to an air quality advisory across several regions of New York State, health and environmental officials announced Monday, July 14th.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Department of Health (DOH) issued the alert citing elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. The advisory, in effect until midnight, includes Western and Central New York as well as the Eastern Lake Ontario region. Impacted counties include Monroe, Oswego, Jefferson, Wayne, Broome, Allegany, Chemung, and northern Cayuga, and others.
Officials warn that PM2.5—tiny airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns—can worsen air quality and pose health risks, especially for people with heart or lung conditions, seniors, and children. The forecast indicates PM2.5 levels could exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, a threshold linked to potential health effects.
The DOH recommends that vulnerable populations minimize outdoor exertion during the advisory. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 may cause respiratory irritation, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to seek medical guidance.
Hazy skies are expected across upstate New York, with visibility impacts stretching as far as western Maine. Areas farther south, including Philadelphia and Baltimore, may also notice atmospheric changes such as more vivid sunrises and sunsets.
The weather system drawing the smoke into the region is also expected to trigger scattered thunderstorms early this week, which could help shift smoke concentrations farther east.
For real-time updates, residents can visit the NYSDEC website, call the Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345, or sign up for alerts through DEC Delivers.
