Today's Air Quality Index

Wildfires Affecting New York State

Wildfires in Canada and other parts of the United States can affect air quality in New York State. You can check current air quality at airnow.gov and follow the tips below when air quality is unhealthy.

When Air Quality is Unhealthy

• Spend more time indoors. This is especially important for at-risk groups (“sensitive groups”), like children and teenagers, older adults, people with heart or respiratory problems, pregnant people, and those who exercise or work outdoors.
• If it gets hot inside, cool off with air conditioning if you can. Find a place to get cool.
• People who must spend time outdoors should consider wearing a mask (use the best well-fitting face mask you have on hand. A N95 or KN95 will work best), take frequent breaks, and adjust work or exercise schedules for when air conditions improve.
• People with any symptoms should contact their health care provider.
• Get the latest air quality conditions by visiting DEC's air quality forecast website or airnow.gov.

Filtering Air at Home

• If you have one, consider using an air cleaner. This can greatly reduce indoor air particle levels.
• Window or portable air conditioners are good to use if they recirculate air (check your user’s manual).
• You can run stand-alone fans to recirculate air in the home, but avoid using whole house fans because they draw in air from outside.
• If you have a central air conditioning and heating system, set the system to “on” so air is constantly filtered, rather than “auto,” which intermittently runs the system.
• Consider installing a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 rating or higher) if your system can handle it based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• When outdoor air quality is good, you can open windows and doors and use fans to bring in fresh air.

Workers

• Long work schedules and the physical demands of work performed outdoors can affect a worker’s health when air quality is unhealthy. Take frequent breaks and talk to your employer about adjusting your work until air quality improves. Follow advice from NIOSH.

Schools and Child Care Providers

• Continue to monitor air quality at DEC's air quality forecast website or airnow.gov.
• Consider implementing an Air Quality Flag Program where your organization raises a flag for the day when the air is unhealthy. On these days you can use this information to adjust outdoor activities.
• New York State recommends that schools and child care providers suspend outdoor activities and field trips when air quality is unhealthy.
• Children who spend time outdoors should wear a well-fitting face mask.
• When air quality is good, you can resume normal activities; masking is not necessary.

This information taken from: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/smoke_from_fire.htm

Last updated July 16, 2026