It wasn’t too long ago that NYC had the worst air quality in the world, and now it may once again be compromised.
According to the National Weather Service, the ground-level ozone exceeds normal standards, and haze from wildfire smoke hangs high in the atmosphere. This combination makes for poor air quality, particularly for those who suffer from cardiovascular issues.
Canadian wildfires
It’s currently wildfire season in Canada and as of June 2025, already more than 200 active fires have burned. The wildfires are primarily affecting provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.
The Midwest already experienced a blanket of smoke earlier this week, issuing their own air quality alerts as experts forecast the smoke moving towards NYC.
NYC Air Quality Alert
As of Wednesday, June 4th, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation just issued Air Quality Health Advisories for NYC Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, and Western Regions.
As of this morning, the AQI in NYC was 55, in the moderate zone. According to the Air Quality Advisories, the NYC Metro area could reach a maximum AQI of 108 today. That would be in the unhealthy for sensitive groups level, posing risks to various New Yorkers.
Ground-Level Ozone explained
According to the EPA, ground-level ozone is “a harmful air pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight.”
Ground-level ozone forms through photochemical reactions in the troposphere — pollutants, including those emitted by cars, power plants, and industrial sources — react with the sunlight to create the ozone, the EPA further explains.
Air Quality Index explained
The Air Quality Index is on a scale of 0-301+.
0-50: (Good) Satisfactory air quality.
51-100: (Moderate) Acceptable air quality. May pose some risk if anyone is unusually sensitive to air pollution.
101-150: (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) Sensitive groups may experience health effects.
151-200: (Unhealthy) Some of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
201-300: (Very unhealthy) Public health alert and the air quality poses a risk for everyone.
301+: (Hazardous) Health warning of emergency conditions.
Health effects from wildfire smoke
Short-term health effects consist of irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, and increase respiratory infections. More long-term health effects include reduced lung function, increase risk of heart failure, and systemic inflammation and aggravation of cardiovascular conditions.
The groups most at risk include the elderly, young children, pregnant women, individuals with asthma, lung disease or heart disease.
What to do under an Air Quality Advisory
New Yorkers are advised by the DEC to use mass transit or carpool, conserve fuel, turn off lights, use fans to circulate air, limit household appliances, and reduce or eliminate outdoor burning.
Path of wildfire smoke
You can follow the wildfire smoke via this interactive map.