NYC air quality today: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach the East Coast? (2024)

New Yorkers deal with air quality issues

Last summer, the air quality index exceeded a staggering 400 at times in Syracuse, New York City and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

NEW YORK - Could smoke from wildfires raging in Canada once again make its way to NYC?

JUMP TO: NYC real-time air quality index map

Wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta sent the haze over parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin on Sunday, lingering into Monday morning.

At least some smoke could drift as far south as Iowa and Chicago, leaving skies looking milky by late Tuesday or early Wednesday, said Rafal Ogorek, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Chicago office.

Nearly 90 fires are currently burning in Canada, according to the Canadian government's National Wildland Fire Situation report. Smoke, however, likely won't enter NYC airspace over the next couple of weeks, according to FOX Weather.

NYC air quality today: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach the East Coast? (1)

Air quality index map on Sunday, May 12, 2024 (green dot = good; purple dot = very unhealthy). (AirNow.gov)

"If there are any effects felt over the next couple of weeks, the FOX Forecast Center said they’ll likely be confined to the U.S.-Canada border region and not venture far to the south," FOX Weather reported.

NYC air quality index map

This map from AirNow.gov shows the current air quality in the New York City area. Click here if you're having trouble viewing the embedded map.

"It does not look like significant smoke is coming this way," FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods said. "In fact, it looks like it's barely making it into upstate New York."

NYC 2024 wildfire smoke forecast

Last June, winds blew smoke from unchecked Canadian wildfires into the region, which led the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an Air Quality Health Advisory for all five boroughs.

Image 1 of 7

A view of the hazy city during bad air quality as smoke of Canadian wildfires brought in by wind. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

According to IQAir.com, New York City had the world's worst air quality of any major city in the world back on June 7, with an AQI rating over 350, more than twice as high as Dubai.

"It doesn't look like the same scenario as we had last summer," Woods said.

So, what's the outlook for 2024? Here's what to know:

Canada wildfires 2024 map

The combination of warm temperatures and an ongoing drought have helped fuel several fires in western Canada, which has has triggered thousands to leave their homes.

One of the largest fires burning in the province of British Columbia is called the Parker Lake Wildfire. As of Sunday, the blaze had burned more than 6,100 acres, and firefighters said it was continuing to show extreme behavior due to dry brush and winds.

NYC air quality today: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach the East Coast? (2)

Forecast model animation of smoke particles. (Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Wildfires were also reported in neighboring Alberta, where thick smoke and poor air quality were experienced in large parts of the province. An evacuation alert was issued for Fort McMurray in Alberta as crews responded to what they described as an "out-of-control wildfire" southwest of town that had burned more than 13,500 acres as of Sunday.

"Conditions in many parts of B.C., and especially in the Prince George Fire Centre (PGFC), are unseasonably dry and more typical of those observed in the late summer. As a result, fuels are more susceptible to ignition and wildfires can spread more quickly," the British Columbia Wildfire Service said.

Additionally, authorities were monitoring fires that have rekindled since the historic firestorm of 2023, which burned more than 45 million acres.

Canada’s wildfire seasontypically begins in May and runs through September, but most blazes are reported in June and July.

How does wildfire smoke affect your health?

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases, particles and water vapor that contains multiple pollutants that can get into the lungs and bloodstream.

Wildfires cause 'unhealthy' NYC air quality

The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.

There is no evidence of a safe level of exposure to some of the pollutants, meaning that smoke can impact your health even at very low levels.

Inhaling smoke from wildfires can cause headaches, sore and watery eyes, nose, throat, and sinus irritation, chest pains, heart palpitations and more.

Who should be careful?

Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart.

The air quality alerts caution "sensitive groups," a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Kids, who often are encouraged to go out and play, "are more susceptible to smoke for a number of reasons," said Laura Kate Bender, the lung association's National Assistant Vice President, healthy air. "Their lungs are still developing, they breathe in more air per unit of body weight."

No one is immune.

FOX Weather contributed to this report.

NYC air quality today: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach the East Coast? (2024)

FAQs

Where will the Canada wildfire smoke reach? ›

Far-reaching atmospheric impacts

The wildfires have been affecting air quality, both locally and further afield. Long-range transport of the smoke has reached eastern Canada and the east coast of the United States, bringing hazy skies and contributing to reduced air quality in major cities across the region.

Are the Canadian wildfires affecting New York? ›

Last June, New York was blanketed with wildfire smoke from Canada. It not only cast a haze across the skies, but also prompted air quality warnings from health officials.

How far does wildfire smoke travel? ›

Because smoke can travel hundreds or thousands of miles, air quality can also be a problem far from the wildfire itself. Air quality can change rapidly.

What are the effects of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires? ›

Wildfire smoke poses health risks to everyone, but especially individuals with existing health conditions. It's associated with strokes, heart disease, respiratory disease, lung cancer, and early death, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What states are impacted by Canada wildfires? ›

Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin and Iowa were under air quality alerts because of uncontrollable wildfires in Canada.

Which areas are most affected by wildfires? ›

Top 10 States For Wildfires Ranked By Number Of Fires And By Number Of Acres Burned, 2022
RankStateNumber of fires
1Texas12,571
2California7,884
3North Carolina6,222
4Georgia3,621
6 more rows

When did NYC get smoke from Canada? ›

Last June, winds blew smoke from unchecked Canadian wildfires into the region, which led the Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an air quality health advisory for all five boroughs.

Which US states are most impacted by wildfires? ›

California almost always tops the list of states with the most wildfires, and it's a good example of how some states face greater risk because of their climate.

Why is Canada having so many fires? ›

Research shows that roughly half of all fires in Canada are directly started by people and, on average, they account for about 20% of the area burned each year. Furthermore, human-driven climate change is making fire seasons longer, resulting in larger and more frequent wildfires.

How far will smoke from Canada travel? ›

Sometimes the smoke sinks to the ground. Strong winds can carry the smoke long distances, even thousands of miles.

Why can't you smell the smoke from Canada? ›

While the tiny particulate matter that reduces air quality and creates the haze can travel great distances, you have to be relatively close to the source to be able to smell the smoke.

How do you breathe with wildfire smoke? ›

Masks. People who must be outdoors for long periods of time, in areas with heavy smoke, or where ash is disturbed, may want to wear a NIOSH-certified N95 respirator mask.

How long does wildfire smoke last in the air? ›

In some cases, smoke can hang around for days or even weeks, especially if there are no significant weather events like rain or strong winds to help clear it out. This can impact air quality and visibility in the affected areas.

How to get rid of headaches from fire smoke? ›

The most effective treatment for headaches can vary from person to person, but over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil can help. Staying hydrated is also critical, Dr. Fadadu said.

Is fire smoke bad for your hair? ›

In recent years, wildfires and urban fires have become more prevalent, posing significant health risks, not just to our lungs but also to our skin and hair. The impact of smoke and airborne particulates on our scalp and hair can be substantial, leading to various issues, including dryness, brittleness, and irritation.

Where are the Canadian fires burning? ›

Some significant fires in the region include the Shetland Creek wildfire near Spences Bridge, British Columbia, which has merged with the Teit Creek fire, as well as numerous fires across Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Major fires are also burning in Saskatchewan and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Where is the big smoke in Canada? ›

In 1793 the city name was changed to York, but in 1834 it was renamed Toronto. Over the years, the city has adopted several nicknames, including the Big Smoke.

Are the Canada fires affecting Michigan? ›

Heat and lightning have caused a recent increase in fires in Western Canada, sending smoke to Michigan. The number of acres burned in 2024 is still well below the scale of last year's historic fire season, although an ongoing drought in Western Canada could mean more fires are on the way.

Are the Canadian wildfires still burning in 2024? ›

In short, yes. Many will have seen the Jasper fire news — as of now, all of Jasper National Park in Alberta is under an evacuation order due to wildfire.

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