NYC air quality reaches unhealthy ‘Level Red’ — after out-of-control Canadian wildfires contaminate US airspace

New York City is forecast to have worse-quality air than Delhi on Thursday, as massive wildfires in Canada push hazy skies and dangerous smoke south.

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The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) score reached Level Red on Thursday morning, according to AirNow, which is defined as unhealthy for everyone, especially sensitive groups, including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and those with medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or respiratory issues such as asthma.

New York City’s AQI is expected to remain in Level Red (between 151 and 200) for the rest of Thursday, climbing to as high as 200 by the end of the day — meaning Big Apple residents will be breathing in worse-quality air than Delhi.

The Indian city, which traditionally tops annual pollution reports, is forecast to have an AQI below 150 for the rest of the day, according to IQAir.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents to remain safe and limit time outdoors as much as possible.

“Every New Yorker should take precautions. Limit your time outdoors, especially strenuous activity,” the Mayor said Thursday.

“We have made free KN95 masks available at 100s of locations citywide, including libraries, police precincts, and a number of firehouses,” he said, directing New Yorkers to on.nyc.gov/freemask or call 311 to find out where to pick up a mask.

Compounding the air pollution is the current heatwave, with temperatures in the Tri-State Area nearing 100 degrees this week.

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A heat dome covering much of the Northeast and Midwest is also trapping hot air and preventing the haze from dissipating.

A statewide Air Quality Health Advisory has been issued for Thursday by the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul also urging residents to stay safe.

“We continue to coordinate with local counties to monitor conditions and distribute masks to help protect vulnerable populations,” said Gov. Hochul.

“I encourage all New Yorkers to stay informed about the latest updates and take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves, your neighbors, and your loved ones,” she added.

The air quality is expected to improve Friday morning, before worsening again later in the day into the start of the weekend, ABC 7 reported.

More than 100 wildfires are still burning in southern Ontario and northern Minnesota, with many northern Midwest cities experiencing AQI scores in the 300+ category, considered Hazardous.

North Central Minnesota recorded AQI scores of over 1,400 recently, while other cities such as Toledo, Ohio, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Milwaukee all seeing AQI figures of near or above 600.

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