The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has placed Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and New York City counties under an air quality advisory Wednesday as widespread wildfires in Canada continue emitting smoke into the air, affecting much of the northern United States.
The advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 4. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said fine particulate pollutants in the air from the smoke could exceed safe air quality index levels over 100.
Lower Hudson Valley air quality rated as ‘moderate’
As of 7:30 a.m., airnow.gov measured the Lower Hudson Valley’s Air Quality Index as “Moderate,” with an AQI score of 54 and an Ozone level of 101, making the air unhealthy for sensitive groups.
NYSDEC said those at risk, including children, older people and those with respiratory conditions, should stay inside and limit physical activity.
Track wildfire smoke, red flag warnings and more with our online wildfire tracker, available here.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Air quality alert issued for Lower Hudson Valley and NYC area June 4
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
