The state has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for July 15 affecting Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York counties as smoke from Canadian wildfires and high temperatures create hazy skies and elevated fine particulate (PM2.5) levels.
The advisory, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul and issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH), is in effect through 11:59 p.m. July 15. DEC meteorologists used data from more than 50 monitoring sites across the state and forecast the Air Quality Index (AQI) to exceed 100 in the advisory area, with some areas possibly seeing short-term spikes above 150.
Areas under the advisory
The advisory covers counties in three regions:
- Eastern Lake Ontario: northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego and Wayne counties
- Central New York: Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben and Yates counties
- Western New York: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties
Who should take precautions
When AQI values exceed 100, air quality is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” — including children and teenagers, older adults, people with heart or lung disease, and outdoor workers. If AQI climbs above 150, air quality can become unhealthy for everyone.
The state advises limiting strenuous outdoor exertion, particularly for those in sensitive groups, and recommends that New Yorkers monitor current conditions and forecasts and adjust outdoor plans accordingly. State officials said DEC and DOH will continue to track conditions and update advisories as needed.
Where to find current air quality info
The DEC and DOH provide daily forecasts and monitoring; the state urged residents to check official air-quality resources for local AQI values and guidance before spending extended time outdoors.
State officials noted that visible smoke and temporary spikes in smoke-related pollution are possible across the state while the smoke plume moves eastward from Canada.
