Hochul updates New Yorkers on statewide air quality for Friday, June 16

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the departments of Environmental Conservation and Health continue to closely monitor air quality for impacts from Canadian wildfires, as well as ozone and other pollutants.

"While we continue to monitor air quality and our brave forest rangers assist with wildfire suppression efforts in Quebec, smoke from the Canadian wildfires is expected to impact air quality across the state tomorrow," Hochul said. "Levels are expected to be far below what we experienced last week, but I encourage all New Yorkers to remain vigilant. If you are in a vulnerable group, please monitor the latest information and take steps to protect yourself."

Hochul’s team said the statewide forecast for June 16 “shows smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to be visible high in the atmosphere with moderate levels of fine particulate pollution at ground level. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index (AQI), the forecasted moderate levels are far below the levels experienced by New Yorkers last week and below the threshold for issuing an air quality health advisory.

“Moderate levels are when the Air Quality Index is between 51-100, which means air quality is acceptable, with potential moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Air quality health advisories are issued when meteorologists forecast levels of pollution, most commonly ozone and particulate matter, to exceed an AQI value of 100. If the AQI exceeds 100, we recommend reviewing the precautions here as necessary.”

More information about New York state air quality forecast is available here.