SMOKE FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES MAY AFFECT NEW YORK CITY AIR QUALITY BEGINNING WEDNESDAY AS HEAT WAVE CONTINUES

New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Potential Air Quality Impacts Amid Heat Emergency

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) today issued an advisory alerting New Yorkers to the possibility of deteriorating air quality due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from significant, still-spreading wildfires in western Ontario, Canada. Visible smoke aloft is expected over New York City beginning Wednesday. The smoke plume is currently moving slowly across New York State, and the timing and extent of any ground-level impacts in the city remain uncertain. There may be temporary spikes in air quality levels, but these are currently expected to be at levels below air quality health advisory triggers. NYC Emergency Management will share updates as they become available.

This smoke event coincides with an ongoing heat wave. A Heat Advisory is in effect through Wednesday, which is forecast to be the hottest day, with temperatures near 100°F and a heat index of up to 102–103°F. An Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone is already in effect today, Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 105 — “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Wildfire smoke would add fine particulate pollution on top of existing ozone levels.

“Every New Yorker has a different risk profile, and this week you need to know yours. If you're sensitive to air quality, don't remain in a space without air conditioning or filtration. And if you're in a population vulnerable to heat, older adults, young children, people with chronic conditions, take the heat seriously too. In both cases, you should get to a cool indoor space, and if you don't have one at home, a cooling center is open near you,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We can't predict exactly where the smoke will go, but we're not waiting to find out. Our heat emergency plan is already activated, we have resources in place to track and respond to air quality, and we'll alert New Yorkers the moment conditions change. Sign up for Notify NYC and check on your neighbors.”

“This week, New Yorkers, are facing two environmental health challenges at once, extreme heat and the potential for wildfire smoke,” said NYC Health Commissioner, Dr. Alister F. Martin. “With extreme heat continuing across New York City, the safest place to be is in a cool, air-conditioned indoor space. Stay informed by checking the air quality forecast, and if smoke conditions worsen, reduce outdoor activity if needed, and pay attention to how you are feeling. If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or severe symptoms, seek medical care right away.”

IF HEAT AND POOR AIR QUALITY OVERLAP: HEAT SAFETY COMES FIRST

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard and poses a greater immediate risk to life than the air quality levels currently forecast. New Yorkers should follow this guidance:

If you do not have air conditioning at home, go to a cooling center, even if air quality is poor. Being in a cool, indoor space protects you from both heat and smoke. Nearly 600 cooling centers are open across the five boroughs; call 311 or visit the City's Cool Options Map (https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters) to locate one, including accessible and pet-friendly sites.
If you have air conditioning at home, stay in your cool space. Do not travel outdoors solely in search of cleaner air.
Indoor air, even where filtration varies, is better than outdoor air during a smoke event.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is actively monitoring conditions, and NYSDEC issues an updated air quality forecast daily. If observed air quality worsens significantly, NYCEM will alert New Yorkers through Notify NYC, the City's official free emergency notification system.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) runs from 0 to 500 and is divided into six levels of health concern. While some groups face higher risk, poor air quality affects everyone. No one is immune to the health effects of wildfire smoke, and even healthy adults can experience symptoms as the AQI rises.

0–50 (Good): Air quality is satisfactory with little to no risk.
51–100 (Moderate): Acceptable for most. Those unusually sensitive may experience minor concerns.
101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions should exercise additional caution. New York City is currently in this range, for ground-level ozone.
151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone may begin to experience health effects. All New Yorkers should take precautions.
201–300 (Very Unhealthy): Health alert. All New Yorkers may experience serious health effects.
301+ (Hazardous): Emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be affected.

CANADIAN WILDFIRE CONDITIONS

Significant and still-spreading wildfires are burning in western Ontario. A cluster of significant, actively burning wildfires in northwestern Ontario is producing large smoke plumes visible on satellite and affecting air quality across the Great Lakes and U.S. Northeast. The 2026 wildfire season in Canada has seen elevated activity nationally, with warmer-than-normal temperatures and dry conditions increasing the likelihood of additional large fire growth.

Canadian wildfires have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to transport smoke hundreds to thousands of kilometers, impacting air quality across the northeastern United States. New Yorkers will recall the June 2023 event, when wildfire smoke drove New York City's AQI to hazardous levels, peaking at 465. At this time, current forecasts do not indicate a repeat of 2023 conditions. However, impacts significant enough to be noticeable are possible, and conditions could reach or exceed "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" levels for smoke. New Yorkers, particularly those with heart or lung conditions, should prepare now.

NYCEM will continue to monitor wildfire activity and smoke plume trajectory forecasts in coordination with NYSDEC and the National Weather Service.

FREE MASKS AVAILABLE AT DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS

To protect the health of New Yorkers, especially those at greatest risk, free KN95 masks are available at public library branches across the five boroughs. These include Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library locations, as well as the following New York Public Library branches: St. George Library Center in Staten Island, the Bronx Library Center in the Bronx, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (the main branch) in Manhattan. Emergency Management is working to expand availability at additional distribution sites and will announce further locations if air quality worsens.

AIR QUALITY SAFETY TIPS

The following tips are drawn from NYC Emergency Management's Be Ready NYC guidance at nyc.gov/beready. Those most at risk during elevated air quality levels include: Older adults, children, infants, people with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and those in communities with higher asthma rates and fewer resources to reduce exposure.

Before an Air Quality Event

Monitor daily AQI forecasts and conditions from AirNow.gov and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; prepare backup indoor plans for outdoor activities.
Plan ahead for days when AQI reaches 101 or higher by identifying "clean air" spaces, such as rooms with air conditioning, air purifiers, or nearby public buildings with filtered air.
Clean and ready air conditioners, HVAC filters, or portable air purifiers.
Keep well-fitting KN95 or N95 masks on hand for sensitive household members, including older adults, children, and anyone with heart or lung conditions.
Sign up for Notify NYC for real-time air quality alerts and emergency notifications.

During an Air Quality Event

Indoors:

Stay inside as much as possible when AQI is above 100 — in a cool space during periods of extreme heat.
Keep windows and doors closed and set air conditioners or HVAC systems to recirculate indoor air, not to draw in outside air. During extreme heat, do not turn off air conditioning — cooling remains the priority.
Avoid activities that worsen indoor air quality, such as smoking or vaping indoors, burning candles or incense, using fireplaces, or high-heat frying or broiling.
Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those without air conditioning.

Outdoors:

Limit strenuous outdoor activity when AQI is between 101–150 — and follow all heat precautions, including hydration and rest breaks.
At AQI 151 or higher, all New Yorkers should move activities indoors and limit time outside.
If you must be outside when air quality is poor, consider wearing a well-fitting KN95 or N95 mask to reduce inhalation of fine particulate matter.
Stay hydrated and be alert for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or unusual fatigue, especially in children and people with heart or lung disease.
Seek immediate medical attention or call 911 if you experience severe difficulty breathing or chest pain.

After an Air Quality Event

Replace dirty HVAC and air purifier filters; ventilate your home when the AQI improves.
If breathing problems, chest pain, or other symptoms persist after air quality has improved, contact a health care provider or seek urgent care.

HOW TO STAY INFORMED

New Yorkers can stay up to date on air quality conditions through the following channels:

Notify NYC — Sign up at nyc.gov/notifynyc, call 311, text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 (English), or download the free Notify NYC app on iOS or Android. Notify NYC is available in 13 languages, including American Sign Language.
AirNow.gov — Real-time AQI data, forecasts, and health guidance.
NYSDEC Air Quality Forecast — Issued daily by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - https://appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI/.
NYC Emergency Management — Follow @nycemergencymgt on social media for preparedness updates.
NYC.gov/BeReady — Comprehensive air quality preparedness and emergency planning resources.
Cooling Centers — Call 311 or use the City's Cooling Center Finder (https://finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters) to locate a cool, safe indoor space near you.

For air quality inquiries, New Yorkers may also call 311.

NYCEM will continue to assess conditions and update the public as forecasts become available. Additional guidance, Notify NYC alerts, and agency coordination will be activated immediately if conditions worsen or if an Air Quality Health Advisory is expanded by NYSDEC.

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