CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE IMPACTING HUDSON VALLEY AIR QUALITY THROUGH THE WEEKEND
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
HUDSON VALLEY, New York — Smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires is reducing air quality across the Hudson Valley, prompting health advisories and hazy skies that are expected to linger into the weekend.
State officials have issued air quality advisories for portions of the Hudson Valley as smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada continues to drift south into New York. The smoke contains fine particulate matter that can pose health risks, particularly for children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
Residents throughout the region may notice a smoky smell, reduced visibility, and hazy skies. While air quality conditions can fluctuate throughout the day depending on wind patterns, officials say periods of unhealthy air are possible, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Health officials recommend limiting prolonged outdoor activity when air quality is poor, keeping windows and doors closed when possible, using air conditioning or air filtration systems, and wearing a well-fitting N95 mask if extended time outdoors is unavoidable. Those experiencing coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or other concerning symptoms should seek medical attention.
Forecasters expect smoky conditions to gradually improve heading into Friday, although additional waves of wildfire smoke could return if winds continue to carry smoke from Canada into the Northeast. Rain in parts of Canada may help reduce some wildfire activity, but officials say conditions will continue to be monitored closely.
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