Northeast Braces for Worsening Air Quality as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Lingers
New York City and much of the Northeast are experiencing hazy conditions and elevated air pollution levels due to smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires. While some advancement may occur later Sunday, experts warn that air quality could deteriorate again early next week, coinciding with oppressive heat.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines advised individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to limit outdoor activity. A heat advisory is in effect for many parts of the Northeast, including New York City, with heat index values potentially reaching 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which could exacerbate air quality concerns.
Residents are already reporting the effects of the poor air quality. Omri Ayalon, a Carroll Gardens resident, noted that the air felt “heavier” and that he and his son would be spending less time outdoors. Brooklynite Nehemiah Bounds described feeling “light-headed,nauseated…and a little bit dizzy,” and plans to move his workouts indoors. Eray Akil reported experiencing allergy-like symptoms, including a runny nose and mild headache, for himself and his son.
On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the NYC area reached 133 in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and 132 outside Flushing Park in Queens. The environmental Protection Agency considers AQI levels above 150 to be unhealthy. The smoke’s impact was visible, with landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the empire State Building obscured by haze from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Kines indicated that further smoke incursions into the Northeast are possible, as fires continue to burn in Canada.
