As the New Jersey wildfires continue to burn in the Pine Barrens, it appears some of the smoke may be coming NYC’s way.
On Thursday morning, the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the NYC metro era, Westchester, and Long Island—as smoke from the fast-moving blaze moves toward the region.
The alert particularly mentions elevated levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5.
These microscopic particles—often produced by wildfires and other forms of combustion—can be especially dangerous when inhaled.
According to the federal air quality monitoring website AirNow, which measures the air quality on a scale of 0 – 500, is set to hover around the 100 mark today and tomorrow, putting it in the “orange zone.”
Children, seniors, people with asthma or heart and lung conditions, pregnant individuals, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to their harmful effects.
These aforementioned “sensitive groups” are highly recommended to avoid strenuous outdoor physical activities and watch for symptoms today, such as coughing and shortness of breath.
Air quality alert map
Track the air quality in New York through this interactive map courtesy of AirNow.
The advisory remains in effect through midnight on Thursday in all mentioned regions.
The Jones Road Wildfire began Tuesday afternoon in Barnegat Township, about 90 miles south of Midtown Manhattan. It’s been blazing for multiple days on end now—officially burning 13,250 acres so far and only being 50% contained.
It’s set to become “the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years,” according to New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Shawn LaTourette.