Smoke from Canadian wildfires covered New York City in haze as air quality climbed to reach “unhealthy” levels on Friday, with the city taking the spot for second-worst air quality in the world.
The more than 300 wildfires in Canada are causing the city’s second dangerous smoke event this month. Officials have put out a health advisory through the end of Friday.
Aside from creating the spooky haze, the concentration of smoke causes dangerous breathing conditions.
On Friday morning, the Air Quality Index, or AQI, rose to more than 160. Officials are encouraging young people, older adults and people with underlying health conditions to avoid outdoor exercise and take precautions like staying inside with the windows closed and wearing a mask. With the AQI above 150, everyone is advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Smoke coming in from the Midwest drifted closer to the ground over Wednesday and Thursday, quickly intensifying the smoke situation by Friday morning.
The levels are not, however, expected to climb to the levels seen in the city earlier in the month.
Meteorologists say the Canadian wildfire smoke may not ruin outdoor plans for July 4 weekend. The air quality conditions may gradually improve starting tomorrow, with potential rain showers on Sunday that may help, according to David Stark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
“It looks like the concentrations of what we’re seeing now are going to lower and we should be in better condition this weekend,” Stark said. “Can’t say for sure that the haziness is going to completely go away but at least the stuff that’s lower in the ground that’s creating the air quality looks like it’ll start to improve.”
Mayor Eric Adams was asked at a press conference about the possibility of July 4th fireworks, which cause extra air pollutions, getting cancelled.
“We are really hoping that we can get below 150, and if we don’t we will do an analysis with OEM and the Department of Health…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply