Newsman: Smoke from wildfires in Canada continued for a third day disrupting daily life, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange hangs over millions in New York City and the Tri-State area. New York City has ranked as either the top or second most polluted city in the world Thursday, and Detroit is back in the top 5 for the dubious honor. On Friday it is showing signs of improvement.
New York City’s ranking on both tools was well above 300 Wednesday. Its highest rating last year was a single day that reached 160.
For further comparison, the record-setting western U.S. wildfire years of 2020 and 2021 meant that outdoor air near Portland, Ore., on select days produced an AQI above 400.
Remembering the severity of number ranges may be challenging, so EPA has assigned a color to each range, with green and yellow representing the most favorable conditions, and orange, red, purple and maroon reflective of levels that are progressively worse, topping out at maroon readings between 301 to 500.
The EPA’s Air Now site for the latest readings around the country shows the updated data as it changes.
The extending air quality alerts as forecasts showed winds continuing to push smoke-filled air south from the wildfires in Canada.
New York and much of the U.S. Northeast is the recipient of drifting wildfire smoke from what’s shaping up to be the worst fire season in Canada’s history as climate change and other factors contribute to hot air and drought.
Health officials in New York City and across the Tri-State warned residents to stay inside and limit or avoid outdoor activities Thursday and Friday. New York state health officials issued another air quality advisory for Long Island, New York City and Western New York for Friday.
Mayor Eric Adams called the Air Quality Alert an, “unprecedented event in our city and New Yorkers must take precautions” at a Wednesday press briefing.
He said the Air Quality Index hit 484 at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday – the max on the scale is 500.
Anything above 300 on the government’s air quality index is considered
“hazardous.”
Adams said masks will be made available at police and fire stations.
The city did not conduct outdoor activities on Thursday and alternate side parking was suspended for Thursday and Friday.
On Broadway, Wednesday’s performance of “Hamilton” was canceled, while “Killing Eve” star Jodie Comer had difficulty breathing and left the matinee after 10 minutes; the show restarted with an understudy, show publicists said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state will make a million N95 masks – the kind prevalent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – available at state facilities, including 400,000 in New York City.
She also urged residents to stay put.
“You don’t need to go out and take a walk. You don’t need to push the baby in the stroller,” Hochul said Wednesday night. “This is not a safe time to do that.”
New York offered to send some fire rangers to deploy to Canada to help, Governor Hochul said on Wednesday.
More than 400 blazes burning across Canada have left 20,000 people displaced. The U.S. has sent more than 600 firefighters and equipment to Canada. Other countries are also helping.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to President Joe Biden by phone on Wednesday. Trudeau’s office said he thanked Biden for his support and that both leaders “acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.”
In New Jersey, state police delivered N95 masks to NJ Transit staff at multiple high volume locations. They will be made available to the public at several stations including Newark Penn Station, Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, Secaucus and Hoboken.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Community Wellness will also be distributing N95 masks to senior buildings, the Newark Public Library and other key locations throughout the city. Residents can also pick up masks at its main site at 110 William Street in Clifton or the Health Center at 394 University Avenue in Newark.
