Powerful thunderstorms, flood threat after smoke surge in NYC, Tri-State: Live updates

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires suffocated the sun above, nearly wiping away Lady Liberty from view and shrouding the Lower Manhattan skyline in an apocalyptic haze on Thursday evening.

The scene gave some New Yorkers a tinge of nostalgia - a throwback to a time most would rather forget.

In Washington Heights, face coverings and masks made a comeback.

"You know what I feel like? Like a pandemic. The COVID. We had to wear masks. It's really weird," Carmen Baez said.

"I bought this for COVID and now I'm reusing it for smoke," said Anna Maria, who picked up a mask.

The city has been handing out free KN95 masks at places like libraries, transit hubs, hospitals, and police precincts.

Pregnant women, older adults, children, and those with heart or lung conditions are being urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

Health experts say it can start with sinus pressure and nasal congestion, but the inflammation can then travel into the lungs, and that's what can cause respiratory complications.

CeFaan Kim reports from Washington Heights with more on the poor air quality conditions.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended a youth soccer match that was forced to move indoors because of the smoke.

NYC Parks summer campers brought the heat inside the St. James Recreation Center in the Bronx.

The mayor and the New York City Parks Department pivoted what's typically an outdoor soccer game to safer conditions after the Canadian wildfires sparked an air quality alert across the region.

Crystal Cranmore reports from Bedford Park with more on how New Yorkers are dealing with the unhealthy air.

Crystal Cranmore has the latest on the smoky conditions in New York City.

Masks are available at all NYPD precincts, select FDNY firehouses, all Brooklyn and Queens public library locations, select NYPL branches and transit hubs.

Click here for the city's mask distribution map.