The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
An air quality advisory has been expanded across New York State, including Long Island.
The forecast for New York City and Long Island is “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” according to an advisory from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. Still, significant near-surface smoke impacts are not currently expected to affect this part of the state until late afternoon. Yet conditions are likely to deteriorate quickly once the smoke moves in, officials said.
Hochul said that the first-time use of emergency cell phone alerts, which will be used to warn New Yorkers if air quality index exceeds the 200 threshold for ‘Very Unhealthy’ air and sustained for longer than an hour. The alerts will be transmitted via the Wireless Emergency Alert system, managed by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
“With smoke from the Canadian wildfires once again impacting air quality throughout our state this week, we’re urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant,” Hochul said in a statement.
“We’re activating emergency cell phone alerts to ensure New Yorkers have the latest information and are continuing to coordinate with local counties to monitor conditions and distribute masks,” she added. “I encourage all New Yorkers to stay informed about the latest updates and take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
To check a location’s current air quality, visit airnow.gov. Visit dec.ny.gov for updated forecasts and information about air quality index levels.
Hochul said hundreds of thousands of N95-style masks will be available for commuters at transportation hubs and at state parks, with addition masks being made available for the public.
Transit systems, including NassauTRANSIT, will use their public address systems bus headway signs, social media and other electronic signage to provide air-quality related safety information directly to customers,
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