New York City air quality was in the red “unhealthy” category before dawn Thursday, a prognosticator of conditions to come as smoke from Canadian wildfires hits its thickest point over the tri-state area. The entire region is under an air quality alert until midnight. The smoke is coming from wildfires burning primarily in Ontario. The combination of high pressure over the Central U.S. and low pressure over Eastern Canada is funneling smoke over the Great Lakes into the Northeast. Impacts started Tuesday. Wednesday’s smoke concentrations were worse. The air quality index for midtown Manhattan at 1 p.m. Wednesday topped 150, putting it in the “unhealthy” range. Many people reported eye irritation and the smell of smoke in the air. Live cameras showed the city enveloped by haze. Thursday’s air quality is forecast to be worse. As of 6 a.m., federal data put the city’s AQI at 156, squarely in the unhealthy range. Later, it could approach “very unhealthy.” High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions. The particulates can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue, and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. The diminished air quality, in addition to the ongoing heat advisory, makes indoors the place to be. Stay in an air-conditioned space if possible. “If you are feeling any effects from this, I would advise you to stay indoors. And again, the best way to handle the heat, is to do the same,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said as temps cranked up Wednesday. Experts suggest wearing a KN95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner. The city’s Office of Emergency Management says free KN-95 masks are available at NYPD precincts and public library branches throughout the five boroughs. Masks are also available at the following FDNY firehouses: Bronx: 720 Melrose Avenue Bronx: 2417 Webster Avenue Brooklyn: 172 Tillary Street Brooklyn: 885 Howard Avenue Manhattan: 100 Duane Street Manhattan: 207 W 77th Street Queens: 91-45 121st Street Queens: 108-01 Horace Harding Expy Staten Island: 1850 Clove Road @nbcnewyork Amid air quality concerns due to smoke from Canadian wildfires (along with heat and humidity levels), NYC is handing out free KN-95 masks at NYPD precincts and public library branches throughout the five boroughs. There are also masks available at nine firehouses across the city. The air quality index for midtown Manhattan on Wednesday topped 150, putting it in the "unhealthy" range. Many people reported eye irritation and the smell of smoke in the air. The diminished air quality, in addition to the ongoing heat advisory, makes being outside unadvisable. High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. #nbc4ny #nyc #health ♬ original sound – NBC New York Many people remember the extreme wildfire smoke that blanketed the tri-state area on June 7, 2023. A deep orange haze engulfed New York City and the Northeast, and extended west to Minnesota.  On that day, the AQI in NYC peaked at 416, well into the “hazardous” zone. The current smoke will become more concentrated through Thursday morning, then remain at steady concentrations through Friday. Plan for air quality alerts through Friday at least. See below for what conditions will be like Thursday morning, evening and Friday morning as the smoke lingers: Thursday morning Thursday 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. The smoke comes amid a quick heat spell for the NYC area, with temperatures topping 90 degrees combining with high humidity to make it feel 100 degrees. While a heat advisory from the National Weather Service expired Wednesday evening, the city said it would be extending a heat emergency through Thursday, according to the OEM. That means pools will remain open until 8:30 p.m., 21 cooling vans will be deployed again, and outreach teams will be contacting homeless New Yorkers. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ...read more read less