Canadian Wildfire Smoke, Heat Trigger Code Orange Alert Across North Jersey

Since wildfire smoke and intense heat are causing poor air quality and health hazards throughout much of the tri-state area, officials are asking citizens to exercise caution.

Map of smoke from wildfires on Sunday, July 27.

Multiple heat and air quality advisories are in effect through Wednesday, July 30.

Air Quality Alerts in Effect

Due to high levels of fine particle pollution, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued Code Orange air quality alerts on Sunday, July 27. Older persons, small children, and those with heart or lung issues may be particularly vulnerable to these illnesses.

Among the impacted counties are:

• 
  New York:
  
  Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland
• 
  New Jersey
  
  : Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Camden, and others
• 
  Pennsylvania
  
  : Eastern counties near Philadelphia

The air quality across a large portion of North Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and eastern Pennsylvania is classified as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy, based on maps of wildfire smoke. The air quality in some areas of upstate New York is extremely unhealthy and even dangerous.

Limiting outside activities is advised by officials, particularly for people in vulnerable health categories. Residents can visit airnow.gov to view current conditions.

Heat Advisories Issued for Monday, Tuesday

Heat index readings are predicted to reach between 100 and 105 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Heat Advisory for Monday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29.

The following counties are under a heat advisory:

• 
  New Jersey:
  
  Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Union, Hudson
• 
  New York:
  
  All five NYC boroughs, Nassau and Suffolk counties
• 
  Connecticut
  
  : Southern portions of New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties

The National Weather Service stated that “heat illnesses may be caused by hot temperatures and high humidity.” “There is potential for widespread heat indices of 105 or higher on Tuesday.”

It is advised that residents stay inside, drink plenty of water, and visit family members or neighbors who may be in danger.