Residents across the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and parts of Central New York are being urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity as an Air Quality Health Advisory remains in effect until midnight Friday.
The advisory was issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for elevated levels of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5). Forecasters expect air quality to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The advisory includes much of the Finger Lakes region, including Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Schuyler, Steuben, Chemung and Tompkins counties, as well as portions of Central New York and the Southern Tier.
State health officials recommend that people reduce strenuous outdoor physical activity while pollution levels remain elevated. Those most at risk include young children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
Anyone experiencing symptoms related to poor air quality is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.
The advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday.
