Smoke from Canadian wildfires may again make its way into New York state this weekend.
Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to the country’s Department of Natural Resources. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in both provinces and resulted in the evacuation of at least 17,000 people, in what officials are calling “a very serious situation.”
Residents in the United States are expected to face poor air quality from the fires as soon as May 30, USA TODAY reported.
Here’s what to know about New York’s chances of being impacted by Canadian wildfire smoke.
Will New York see smoke from the Canadian wildfires?
Possibly.
Starting Friday night, smoke from the Canadian wildfires is expected to move into western New York and travel eastward, NWS Buffalo meteorologist Heather Kenyon said Friday. Those in Central New York may wake up to some hazy skies Saturday morning but the smoke is expected to dissipate as it moves further east.
It’s unclear how the smoke may affect the state’s air quality, though, as it’s most concentrated in the upper level winds, Kenyon said.
How will rain affect New York’s chances of seeing smoke from the Canadian wildfires?
Rain is in the forecast for much of the state Friday night into Saturday, National Weather Service forecasts show, which could impact if New York sees any of the incoming smoke. If it’s cloudy or rainy, you won’t be able to see the smoke, according to Kenyon.
How to track the air quality in your neighborhood
You can track air quality in New York through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Air Quality Index by visiting dec.ny.gov, Kenyon said.
Air quality across the country can also be tracked through fire.airnow.gov.
Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Will Canadian wildfire smoke reach New York? Here’s what to expect
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
