Air Quality Worsens To Unhealthy Conditions For All As Wildfire Smoke Reaches LI: Reports

LONG ISLAND, NY — An air quality alert has been issued for Long Island due to Canadian wildfire smoke causing hazy skies in New York, and the high temperatures blanketing the state, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stated.

Air quality conditions have worsened throughout the day, with increasing Air Quality Indexes reaching unhealthy conditions for all groups in parts of Long Island, according to the Weather Channel.

The alert from the NYS DEC remains in effect for most of the state on Wednesday, and indicates that smoke will be visible in western New York before it disperses across the state.

In East Hampton and Plainview, the Air Quality Index has increased to reach the low 140s, surpassing the NYS DEC's prediction of 125 fine particles, according to AccuWeather. Towns closer to Manhattan have reached mid-to-high 150s, such as Uniondale with a 157 AQI as of 4 p.m. on July 15, according to The Weather Channel.

AccuWeather reported that the health effects can be immediately felt by sensitive groups, but healthy individuals may also experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation with prolonged exposure.

Long Island's Air Quality Index report for today from the NYS DEC was at 125 fine particles, or unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups. The AQI details how clean or polluted the air is, and the higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern, the NYS DEC said. If the AQI is above 100, an alert is issued for sensitive groups to take precautions.

Local towns and officials have issued statements, encouraging residents to stay indoors and limit exposure outdoors. Governor Kathy Hochul warned New Yorkers that smoke from the Canadian wildfires and high temperatures can create unhealthy air conditions.

"Distant wildfires have impacted New York State in recent years, and this week, unfortunately, will be no different with expected hazy skies and poor air quality," Hochul said. "We are now closely tracking these conditions, and I strongly encourage New Yorkers to stay informed and take appropriate precautions to stay safe. Sensitive groups should take particular caution."

The smoke is coming from wildfires in western Ontario, and is producing large smoke plumes visible on satellite across the Great Lakes and U.S. Northeast, the NYC Emergency Management team stated. Canadian wildfires have caused spikes in AQI in the past, including the June 2023 incident, when the wildfire smoke caused New York City's AQI to reach 465, NYSEM said.

The NYSEM stated anyone with heart or lung conditions should "prepare now."

Those in western New York are seeing AQI levels in the 160s and 180s, which tells us the air quality is unhealthy for all, not just sensitive groups.

Air quality will be monitored by the NYS DEC continuously.