Wildfire smoke prompts air quality concerns in NYC and Tri-State | Live updates
Last updated: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 7:36PM GMT
NEW YORK (WABC) -- All of New York State, including New York City, and parts of New Jersey are under an Air Quality Advisory due to the smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning in Canada.
The Tri-State will see visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution.
Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.
Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner.
Check back for live updates.
Key Headlines
1 hour and 9 minutes ago
1 hour and 9 minutes ago
Here's how the news is developing.
All of NY will see visible smoke, DEC commissioner says
State DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said they expect air quality to deteriorate throughout the day "as we continue to see impacts from wildfires."
"Throughout the day people are going to experience spikes in air quality that will be problematic, we are going to continue to see perhaps waves of poor air quality throughout the day," Lefton said. "It's going to start in western and central New York and make its way down to the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City, the entire state could and will likely see poor air quality today."
Lefton said the entire state will see visible smoke. That is not necessarily indicative of air quailty, because that might be happening at higher levels.
Mayor Mamdani posts that air quality has reached unhealthy levels
Mayor Mamdani posts that air quality has reached unhealthy levels
NYC air quality reaches unhealthy level due to smoke
Just after 2 p.m., Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg said that the Air Quality Index has spiked to an unhealthy level.
NYC Emergency Management offering free masks
NYC Emergency Management is warning New Yorkers to stay safe amid the Air Quality Advisory.
They say free masks are available throughout the city:
