West Orange Takes Precautions At Rock Spring Amid Wildfire Smoke

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The town of West Orange is taking precautionary measures at the Rock Spring Golf Club as smoke and haze from the Canadian wildfires lingers across New Jersey for a third day.

The poor air quality is attributed to wildfires in Canada that are polluting the air with particulate matter from burning trees and other materials. The level of air quality has risen to “unhealthy” levels, and is expected to remain elevated into Thursday night, the NJDEP said. Read More: When Will Smoke Clear In NJ? What To Expect

West Orange's air quality index (AQI) was listed as “very unhealthy” as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to AirNow.gov, a searchable database. See Related: Canada Wildfire Smoke In West Orange: 2 Days Of Haze (Update)

The township released a message on Wednesday about actions being taken at Rock Spring “until further notice.”

“With the air quality concerns currently present, we are offering the following for employees and golfers,” the message read:

Employees

• Opportunity to work indoors or take a day off
• Offering masks for employees (and golfers)
• Increasing mandatory breaks for course and grounds and other staffers that chose to work outside

Golfers

• Offering rainchecks for any holes not completed
• Offering masks
• No penalties for no shows

“We will continue this practice for as long as air quality concerns are in place,” the township stated.

Meanwhile, town officials continue to monitor the situation. According to a municipal advisory:

“The West Orange Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have confirmed that the current smoke and haze situation experienced by West Orange residents is as a result of the Canadian wildfires. It is currently impacting air quality throughout the Northeast. Residents should be assured that there is no fire-related situation in West Orange that is causing the issue, but should remain vigilant regarding any local fires as usual. Fire and police will continue to monitor the situation and advise the public of any needed updates.”

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