07/15/2026
Smoke from significant wildfires burning in western Ontario, Canada may affect New York City's air quality. The smoke plume is moving across New York State, and the extent and timing of any ground-level impacts in the city remain uncertain.
Any temporary spikes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are currently expected to stay below air quality health advisory triggers, but conditions can change. NYC Emergency Management is monitoring wildfire activity and smoke plume forecasts in coordination with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Weather Service, and we will alert New Yorkers if conditions worsen.
Know your risk. If you're sensitive to air quality, including older adults, children, pregnant individuals, and people with heart or lung conditions, plan to be in a cool indoor space with air conditioning or filtration.
🔔 Sign up for real-time alerts: nyc.gov/notifynyc�📊 Check current air quality: AirNow.gov�ℹ️ Preparedness resources: nyc.gov/beready for Air Quality Events, and on.nyc.gov/firesmoke
New Yorkers are facing two environmental health challenges at once: extreme heat and the potential for wildfire smoke. Heat is the deadliest weather hazard and poses a greater immediate risk to life than the air quality levels currently forecast.
✅ If you do NOT have air conditioning at home, go to a cooling center — even if air quality is poor. A cool indoor space protects you from both heat and smoke.
✅ If you DO have air conditioning, stay in your cool space. Don't travel outdoors in search of cleaner air.
✅ Keep windows and doors closed and set your AC to recirculate indoor air. During extreme heat, do not turn off your air conditioning — cooling remains the priority.
✅ Check on your neighbors, especially older adults and those without AC.
Nearly 600 cooling centers are open across the five boroughs, including accessible and pet-friendly sites.
📍 Find one: finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters or call 311
KN95 masks are available at public library branches across all five boroughs to protect the health of New Yorkers, especially those at greatest risk from wildfire smoke.
Pick one up at:
📚 Brooklyn Public Library locations
📚 Queens Public Library locations
📚 St. George Library Center (Staten Island)
📚 Bronx Library Center (the Bronx)
📚 Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, NYPL's main branch (Manhattan)
If you must be outside when air quality is poor, a well-fitting KN95 or N95 mask can reduce inhalation of fine particulate matter.
