Air Quality Alert for NYC as New Jersey Wildfire Rages
9 hours ago
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An air quality alert has been issued for New York City and Long Island due to the potential impact of smoke from a wildfire in New Jersey, prompting state officials to urge residents to limit outdoor activities.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the advisory is in effect through Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast to reach levels that are “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
Why It Matters
Exposure to elevated levels of pollutants can pose serious health risks, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and people with asthma, chronic lung disease, or heart conditions.
What To Know
Air quality in Long Island and the New York City Metro area is expected to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups on Thursday, according to a forecast for the New York State Air Quality Index.
Meanwhile, air quality levels in the Upper and Lower Hudson Valley, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central, and Western New York were expected to fall in the “moderate” range.
The air quality alert, shared by the National Weather Service, said that “when pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.”
The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 500:
0–50 (Green): Good – Air quality is satisfactory.
51–100 (Yellow): Moderate – Acceptable, with potential concerns for sensitive individuals.
101–150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Affects people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and pregnant individuals.
151–200 (Red): Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience health effects.
201–300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy – Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions.
301–500 (Maroon): Hazardous – Serious risk to the entire population.
The air quality alert comes as emergency responders work to contain the Jones Road wildfire in New Jersey.
A Thursday morning update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the blaze had burned some 13,250 acres and was at 50 percent containment.
The fire, which broke out around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township, soon extended into Lacey and Ocean townships.
The blaze has prompted the closure of some major highways and the evacuation of several thousand people.
Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire in Lacey Townships, New Jersey, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire in Lacey Townships, New Jersey, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Haley Taylor told Newsweek: “Winds are expected to shift to be out of the south today, which will send any lingering smoke from this fire farther north, into New York City and across Long Island.
“While there hasn’t been much smoke spreading away from the fire itself overnight, any smoke that can blow out from this fire today can be sent north, leading to unhealthy air quality, especially for sensitive groups such as children and the elderly.
“In addition, the smoke could cause the sky to be hazy at times through the day around New York City, and this could even enhance the sunset this evening, causing brighter pinks and reds in the sky.”
What Happens Next
The air quality alert for New York was in effect until 11:59 p.m. ET, according to the DEC.
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