Update: Poor Air Quality Due to Canada Wildfires Persists

Though air quality on the South Fork is rated “Good” as 9:15 a.m. on Friday, according to AirNow.gov, the forecast for the day ahead predicts that particulate matter in the air from Canadian wildfires will drive the air quality index into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.

At the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” rating, with an air quality index between 101 and 150, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens are advised to shorten the amount of active time spent outdoors and to choose less strenuous activities — like walking instead of running — so they do not breathe as hard.

AirNow.gov advises checking current air quality to see if it is a good time for outdoor activities, as the air quality index will change throughout the day.

The air quality forecast for Thursday is “Unhealthy,” a category at which “Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects,” according to AirNow.gov.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

Everyone else should choose less strenuous activities, like walking instead of running, shorten the amount of time they are active outdoors until air quality is improved.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality alert in effect through midnight. A toll free air quality hotline for New York residents can be dialed toll-free at 1-800-535-1345.

The East End continues to be under an air quality alert due to wildfire smoke blowing in from Quebec. The western half of the South Fork is currently in the “Unhealthy” air quality index category while the eastern half is in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category — and those ratings may change throughout the day.

“When many New Yorkers walked outside today, the hazy skies caused by wildfire smoke were hard to miss,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement Tuesday. “New York State experts are monitoring our air quality every day to ensure New Yorkers have the latest information about current air quality in their communities and what they can do to protect themselves. I encourage New Yorkers, especially those sensitive to air quality, to take appropriate steps to help limit risk of exposure.”

The South Fork is under an air quality alert on Tuesday, June 6, due to wildfire smoke coming from Canada.

According to AirNow.gov, the air quality index rating, depending on location and time of day, is forecast to be at either the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” rating or the more severe “Unhealthy” rating.

While ozone levels are noted as “good,” the air quality issue is attributed to elevated particulate matter levels.

At the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” rating, with an air quality index between 101 and 150, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens are advised to shorten the amount of active time spent outdoors and to choose less strenuous activities — like walking instead of running — so they do not breathe as hard.

At the “Unhealthy” rating, with an air quality index between 151 and 200, AirNow.gov notes that “Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”

The forecast for Wednesday is for an air quality index of 105 a bit lower than Tuesday but still in the range of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”