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NYC officials issue air quality alert
NYC officials issued an air quality alert on Tuesday. It was this week last year when smoke from the Canadian wildfires turned the skyline into an eerie shadow of orange. FOX 5 NY's Sharon Crowley explains there could be more of that to come.
NEW YORK CITY - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for NYC, as well as the lower Hudson Valley and parts of New Jersey.
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The air quality alerts caution "sensitive groups," a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
NYC air quality today: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach the East Coast?
Wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta sent the haze over several U.S. states. Will the smoke reach NYC this week?
The New York State Department of Health recommends individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity.
Air quality alert NYC, Hudson Valley
The following counties are under an air quality health advisory:
- New York
- Bronx
- Kings
- Queens
- Richmond
- Westchester
- Rockland
- Orange
- Putnam
Why is the air quality bad today?
According to the National Weather Service, the alert remains in effect until 11 p.m. because "air quality within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards."
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Obsessing over air quality
FOX 5 NY's Richard Giacovas has the details.
"An Air Quality Action Day means that Ground Level Ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards," the agency said.
Air quality map
This map from AirNow.gov shows the current air quality in the New York City area. Click here if you're having trouble viewing the embedded map.
For today's air quality index forecast for New York state, click HERE.
To check the air quality in your area, click HERE.
New Jersey air quality
Meanwhile, an air quality alert was also issued for several counties across New Jersey, including:
- Bergen
- Essex
- Hudson
- Hunterdon
- Mercer
- Middlesex
- Morris
- Passaic
- Somerset
- Sussex
- Union
- Warren
Tuesday will stay warm, according to FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods, with temperatures in the 80s.
2023: Canadian wildfire smoke pours into Northeast
Last June, winds blew smoke from unchecked Canadian wildfires into the region, which led the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an Air Quality Health Advisory for all five boroughs.
According to IQAir.com, New York City had the world's worst air quality of any major city in the world back on June 7, with an AQI rating over 350, more than twice as high as Dubai.