An air quality health advisory remains in effect for parts of New York State as smoke from wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba continues to spread across the northeastern United States. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) issued the advisory for Monday, July 14th, warning of elevated levels of fine particulate matter in the air.
The advisory covers Western New York, Central New York, and the Eastern Lake Ontario region. Specific counties impacted include Monroe, Oswego, Jefferson, Wayne, Broome, Allegany, Chemung, and northern Cayuga, among others. The affected areas are expected to experience haze and reduced air quality through midnight.
According to the NYSDEC, delicate particulate matter, or PM2.5, consists of microscopic particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. These particles, often produced by vehicle emissions, power plants, and wildfires, are less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can pose serious health risks when inhaled. Officials emphasized that concentrations of PM2.5 are forecasted to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100, a level associated with increased health concerns, particularly for sensitive populations.
The DOH advised individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions, as well as children and older adults, to limit strenuous outdoor activity. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Those experiencing symptoms are encouraged to contact their healthcare providers.
While the thickest smoke is expected to be visible across upstate New York and into western Maine, haze may be visible as far south as Philadelphia and Baltimore. The smoke may also enhance the appearance of sunrises and sunsets due to the increased presence of atmospheric particles.
The same weather front responsible for drawing in the smoke is also expected to bring scattered thunderstorms early in the week, potentially shifting the smoke eastward.
New Yorkers can access updated air quality information through the NYSDEC website or by calling the Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345. Alerts are also available by subscribing to DEC Delivers, the department’s email and text notification system.
