07/16/2026
Wildfire update – July 16, 2026
As the wildfires continue in and through much of Canada, and specifically north of Thunder Bay, Ontario pray for the safety of our Indigenous brothers and sisters from the following Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, Whitesand First Nation, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, and all First Nations currently being affected by or being evacuating because of the wildfires. In some cases, these small communities are very remote with limited access to respond, these fires are also causing ground transportation routes blocked, which is limiting many First Nations access to food, medicine, and other critical supplies that they are dependent on.
While Tuscarora may not be directly affected by the wildfires, we are experiencing smoke, haze and particulate matter from these fires, the current sir quality index is listed as unhealthy. It is important that people with heart disease and respiratory breathing issues to stay indoors during this time. It is also recommended that children, teenagers, older adults and pregnant women spend more time indoors. Even if you are healthy, we recommend you limit your time outdoors by taking frequent breaks or wearing a well fitted N95 mask to help filter the air you are breathing.
We will continue to monitor the current air quality index. For more information you can check www.airnow.gov or the NYSDEC website for up-to-date information for your area.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/20/2026 10:00 AM
There is no change in forecast today but there is a chance we may see a few temporary spikes of ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ (USG), especially in Western New York, Central New York, and Eastern Lake Ontario.
To check your air quality, visit https://www.airnow.gov or download the AirNow app for regular updates.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 6:20pm
As of 6pm, air quality in the Adirondacks worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and the Lower Hudson Valley region worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 3:30pm
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an air quality health advisory tomorrow, July 19th, for Central and Western NY for fine particulate matter due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 3pm
As of 3 p.m., air quality in the Upper Hudson Valley region worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 2pm
As of 2pm, air quality in the Adirondacks and Upper Hudson Valley regions worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ and Lower Hudson Valley region worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 12pm
As of 12pm, air quality in the Lower Hudson Valley region worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ and Rockland County worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 11:10am
As of 11 a.m., air quality in Syracuse and Westchester County worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 10:20am
As of 10am, air quality in Rochester worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and Syracuse and Rockland County worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 9:20am
As of 9am, air quality in Western New York worsened to ‘Very Unhealthy’ and Westchester worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 8:20am
As of 8 am, air quality in the Southern Tier region worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and Rochester worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’.
Saturday air quality outlook: Shifts in the ongoing Canadian wildfire plume are expected to negatively impact air quality statewide today and create unhealthy conditions outdoors.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 7:30am
As of 7am, air quality on Long Island worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ Individual location conditions may vary.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/18/26 at 6:30am
As of 6 am, air quality in Buffalo and New York City worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and air quality in the Southern Tier and Long Island worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/17/26 at 3:30pm
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an air quality health advisory for tomorrow, July 18th, for fine particulate matter due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. New Yorkers may see visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution.
- The Western NY, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central NY, NYC Metro, and Long Island regions are forecast to reach Unhealthy.
- The Adirondacks, and Upper and Lower Hudson Valley are forecast to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/17/26 at 12pm
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an updated air quality health advisory for today, July 17th, for fine particulate matter due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. New Yorkers may see visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution.
The updated advisory is:
- The Western NY region is forecast to reach Very Unhealthy.
- The Central NY Region is forecast to reach Unhealthy.
- The Long Island, NYC Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, and Eastern Lake Ontario regions are forecast to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/17/26 at 7:20am
DEC is still seeing ‘unhealthy’ air quality in Western and Central New York, the Southern Tier, Rockland, Westchester, New York City, and Long Island, with weather expected to shift and smoke plumes anticipated to decrease throughout the day. DEC will continue to monitor the forecast to adjust Air Quality Health Advisories as needed.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 7:15pm
As of 7 pm, air quality in the New York City Metro region has worsened to ‘Very Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 6:20pm
As of 6pm, air quality in the Upper and Lower Hudson Valley regions has worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’ Individual location conditions may vary.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 5:15pm
As of 5pm, air quality in the Lower Hudson Valley has worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’ Air quality in the New York City Metro region worsened to ‘Unhealthy.’
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 4:15pm
As of 4pm, air quality on Long Island worsened to ‘Unhealthy’ and air quality in the Upper Hudson Valley, Lower Hudson Valley, and New York City Metro regions worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 2:15pm
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an air quality health advisory for TOMORROW, July 17th, for fine particulate matter for Western NY due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada.
A incoming cold front will begin to push the smoke plume to the south starting late tonight. This front will clear almost all regions and leave them in upper moderate, besides the regions out west. The winds in the western half the state will be weaker, leaving a lighter pocket of smoke to linger in the Buffalo area. Buffalo will remain in upper Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Central NY and Eastern Lake Ontario are currently in upper moderates but will need to be reevaluated in the morning in case there are any changes in the winds and need to be upgraded.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 2:15pm
As of 2 p.m., air quality on Long Island worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 1:15pm
As of 1 p.m., air quality in the Southern Tier worsened to ‘Very Unhealthy’. Individual location conditions may vary.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 12pm
As of 12pm, air quality in the Adirondacks worsened to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ and Rochester worsened to ‘Very Unhealthy’.
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 10:45AM
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an air quality health advisory for today, July 16th, for fine particulate matter due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada.
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.
For the latest AQI forecast: https://appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI/
⚠️ UPDATE 7/16/26 at 8:20AM
Headed into Thursday morning, DEC air monitors in Buffalo, the Southern Tier, and Syracuse are already reporting ‘Unhealthy’ air levels, with Rochester and New York City reporting levels ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.’ An Air Quality Health Advisory remains in effect statewide today due to smoke continuing to move through state, and the potential for temporary spikes of “Very Unhealthy” air quality.
For more safety and health precautions: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-air-quality-advisory-expanded-entire-state
⚠️UPDATED 7/15/26 at 5:50PM
DEC and NYSDOH - New York State Health Department have issued an air quality health advisory for TOMORROW, July 16th, for fine particulate matter for all of New York State due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada.
For the latest AQI forecast: https://appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI/
⚠️UPDATED 7/15/26 at 10:13AM
Wildfire smoke from northern Canada and high temperatures are expected to create unhealthy air conditions. Smoke will be visible and is set to first cross into western areas early this morning before disbursing across the state.
In addition to an Air Quality Health Advisory issued for particulate matter for Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York, all regions may see temporary spikes in smoke-related pollution. Sensitive groups should take particular caution.
DEC will continue to closely monitor conditions. Be Air Aware!
