Bronxville, Scarsdale, and Eastchester residents should stay indoors Thursday, July 16, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drives the Air Quality Index into the "Unhealthy" range across Westchester County, meaning everyone faces health risks from breathing outdoor air.
The Westchester County Health Department issued the warning Wednesday, July 15, effective through midnight Thursday. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation projects the AQI will exceed 150 and could reach 200 across the county. That's a significant jump from the advisory earlier in the week: on Tuesday, July 14, the department rated conditions as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," a lower tier that applied mainly to people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, and children.
Thursday's escalation covers everyone.
"This air quality poses a health risk to everyone, not just people with asthma or other underlying health conditions," Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County Health Commissioner, said in the department's Wednesday press release. "Even healthy individuals may experience irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or lungs, so taking these simple precautions can help protect your health until air quality improves."
The health department recommends residents:
- Limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous physical activity
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run air conditioning to reduce indoor smoke exposure
- Wear a well-fitting mask if they must go outside
- Contact a medical provider if symptoms develop or worsen
Outdoor workers should allow for rest breaks and stay hydrated.
New York State recommends schools and child care providers suspend outdoor activities and field trips while the advisory is in effect. No specific cancellation announcements from Bronxville, Scarsdale, or Eastchester school districts had been confirmed as of Thursday morning.
Roughly 835 active wildfires were burning across Canada as of Wednesday, July 15, with 112 considered out of control, according to Reuters. The largest unconfined fire in western Ontario covers about 130,000 acres along the northern shores of Lake Superior. Fine particulate matter from those blazes has drifted south into the Northeast, and Forbes reported that smoke is expected to filter further into the region through Friday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Wednesday that the state is coordinating with local counties to monitor conditions and distribute masks to vulnerable populations.
Residents without air conditioning can visit a cooling center, some of which also serve as clean air centers. Locations are listed at the New York State Department of Health website. Real-time, zip-code-level AQI data is available at airnow.gov.
The advisory expires at midnight Thursday, July 16. Real-time AQI updates are available at airnow.gov and the NYSDEC website.
