Air quality alert issued in New York, New Jersey due to brush fire smoke
Air quality alert for New York and New Jersey
CBS News New York's First Alert Weather Team has issued a Yellow Alert through 12 a.m. Monday due to poor air quality from the numerous wildfires burning throughout the region.
An air quality alert has been issued for New York City, the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey through 12 a.m. Monday due to smoke from multiple wildfires in the area.
Why does it smell like smoke in New York City?
Once again, thick haze, smoke and the scent of campfire have filled the air and skies in and around New York City. Unlike in 2023, the smoky conditions of late are from locally sourced wildfires, not from Canada.
As a result of the ongoing blazes across the area, many of which are in New Jersey, air quality has suffered greatly. The air quality index hit a high of 201 Saturday evening, which is considered very unhealthy for everyone.
"Anyone who has a lung ailment, these fires ... can really be devastating. It can really make someone get very sick very quickly. Now, that's not to say that normal healthy people may not get sick, but they're much less at risk," said Dr. Anthony Saleh, a pulmonologist at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
Saleh also says it's a good idea to wear a high-quality mask if you need to spend time outside when the air quality index level is elevated.
Until rain moves back into the region Sunday night, fluctuations of air quality indices are expected, ranging from moderate to very unhealthy levels. The risk of new fires developing will also continue to be elevated until Sunday night, while the highest levels of smoke and haze are anticipated to shift north from New Jersey and New York City into the Hudson Valley.
Monday forecast
It's an early exit Monday morning with any showers off the coast by 6 or 7 a.m. Veterans Day shapes up with clearing skies and mild temps in the 60s. It will be breezy again, which doesn't help the wildfire threat despite the rain.
Highs then drop back into the 50s for midweek before another shower risk on Thursday.