Canadian wildfire smoke returns to NYC, Tri-State: Air quality alerts and live updates

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Last updated: Thursday, July 16, 2026 7:47PM GMT
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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 is seeing visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution.

Use our Air Quality Tracker to see the latest conditions.

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, or fatigue, and can aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.

Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing an 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

Here's how the news is developing.
3 hours and 24 minutes ago

Unhealthy air conditions force summer camps in NJ to alter schedules

The unhealthy air conditions are forcing summer youth camps across New Jersey to alter their schedules.

Some camps have scrapped outdoor activities altogether and others are sending kids home early.

Anthony Johnson is in Woodland Park with more:

Anthony Johnson reports from New Jersey.
3 hours and 50 minutes ago

NYC officials tell residents to limit times outdoors, hand out free masks

New York City officials are warning residents to limit their time outdoors and they are also handing out free KN95 masks at locations across the city.

Lindsay Tuchman has more:

Lindsay Tuchman has more on the story.
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3:15 PM GMT

Greenwood Lake Beach Closed amid poor air quality

The Village of Greenwood Lake Beach is closed today "for the safety of our residents and visitors" due to unhealth air quality.

3:27 PM GMT

New York State releases updated air quality advisory

Officials with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for Thursday.

The updated advisory is as follows:

  • The Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley regions are forecast to reach Unhealthy.

  • The Upper Hudson Valley, and Adirondack regions are forecast to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

  • The Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions are forecast to reach Very Unhealthy.

The advisory remains in effect until 11:59 p.m.

Phil Taitt has more on the story.