After days of smoke and smog, New Yorkers are more than ready to get back to normal. Fox 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti reports.
NEW YORK - Air quality across New York is forecast to continue improving, a far cry from the dark skies and acrid air earlier this week. Indeed, for many New Yorkers, it was an unsettling flashback to some of the city’s darkest days.
Air quality concerns entered day three, with people donning their surgical masks and N-95’s from one street corner to the next.
The Tri-State endured its worst-ever air day on Wednesday when the air-quality index hit historic highs.
While the index number was much lower Thursday, it still wasn't healthy.
In the middle of the afternoon, smoke from Canadian forest fires blankets the skyline of New York City, June 7, 2023, as seen from Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
Workmen tend to the George Washington Bridge, as seen from Fort Lee, N.J., as haze from wildfires in Canada settles over the area on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)((AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File))From: AP Images
A view of New Brunswick, New Jersey with the Raritan River on June 7, 2023. The skyline is covered in a thick blanket of smoke.(Kyle David / FOX Weather)
Scenes across New York City are seen on June 7, 2023, amid hazy conditions due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. People in the city other areas are expected to have another day of bad air Thursday due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Air quality advisories continue to be in place for all five boroughs of the city of more than 8 million people.(Ezio Cairoli / FOX Weather)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - JUNE 7: View on June 7, 2023 of hazy New York city skylines during bad air quality because smoke of Canadian wildfires brought in by wind. Authorities urge people to wear masks, all outdoor activities for school children were canceled as well as regular baseball game at Yankee stadium between Yankees and White Sox. Many activities in city parks were canceled as well. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - JUNE 7: View on June 7, 2023 of hazy New York city skylines during bad air quality because smoke of Canadian wildfires brought in by wind. Authorities urge people to wear masks, all outdoor activities for school children were canceled as well as regular baseball game at Yankee stadium between Yankees and White Sox. Many activities in city parks were canceled as well. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - JUNE 7: A view of the hazy city during bad air quality as smoke of Canadian wildfires brought in by wind in New York, United States on June 7, 2023. New York City has the worst air in the world according to IQAir, a Swiss air monitoring company as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to filter into the city. Authorities urge people to wear masks, all outdoor activities for school children were canceled as well as regular baseball game at Yankee stadium between Yankees and White Sox. Many activities in city parks were canceled as well. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - JUNE 7: A view of the hazy city during bad air quality as smoke of Canadian wildfires brought in by wind in New York, United States on June 7, 2023. New York City has the worst air in the world according to IQAir, a Swiss air monitoring company as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to filter into the city. Authorities urge people to wear masks, all outdoor activities for school children were canceled as well as regular baseball game at Yankee stadium between Yankees and White Sox. Many activities in city parks were canceled as well. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
An ominous yellow haze hung over skyscrapers as the air quality index climbed to 484, out of 500, temporarily earning New York an unwelcome distinction: The most polluted city in the world.
"Right now, the health guidance hasn't changed. Stay indoors," Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner warned.
Those who couldn’t stay indoors were able to secure free masks, courtesy of the state, at Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and other areas throughout the five boroughs.
The NYC air quality alert is still in effect until midnight but things are heading in the right direction. Temperatures remain mild with scattered showers and storms in the afternoon.
The FDNY also handed out face coverings at seven locations across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Most New York City public school students were already scheduled to have off today. Those who were scheduled to come into the building will learn remotely.