Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday urged New York residents and visitors to take necessary precautions as Canadian wildfire smoke affects air quality in the Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are expected to reach ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ and an air quality health advisory for Fine Particulate Matter has been issued until midnight on Friday, August 16. Vulnerable individuals, including those with cardiovascular or lung diseases, children under 18, adults 65 and older, and pregnant people, should avoid outdoor exertion and be mindful of potential symptoms when outside. For real-time air quality updates, visit www.airnow.gov.
“Public safety is my top priority, and New Yorkers need to stay vigilant as wildfire smoke impacts certain areas of the State,” said Governor Hochul. “I urge vulnerable New Yorkers to heed the State’s Air Quality Health Advisories and take the necessary steps to stay safe.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is closely monitoring the smoke drifting across the Northeast from Canadian wildfires, which is expected to reach surface levels and cause fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to reach ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’
The DEC and the State Department of Health (DOH) have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions until midnight on Friday, August 16, 2024. The affected Upper Hudson Valley counties include Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington, while the Adirondacks region includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties. The DEC will continue to monitor conditions and provide daily updates.
To keep New Yorkers informed, the DEC provides daily air quality forecasts, ensuring that up-to-date air quality information is readily available. Despite New York State’s stringent air quality regulations, certain days may see elevated levels of ozone or particulate matter affecting air quality in local communities.
AQI Health Guidelines
AQI health guidelines are associated with recommendations to protect impacted populations.
- 0-50: Good – Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- 51-100: Moderate – Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are usually sensitive to air pollution.
- 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Sensitive groups include people with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers.
- 151-200: Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience healthy effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- 201-300: Very Unhealthy – Health alert. Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
- 301-500: Hazardous – Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
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