Smoke from the Jones Highway wildfire in New Jersey was slated to swath New York Metropolis skies on Thursday, prompting air high quality advisories for the metropolitan space and Lengthy Island, well being and setting officers mentioned Wednesday.
The state well being and environmental conservation departments issued an air high quality well being advisory for advantageous particulate matter “due to the potential impact of smoke from wildfires in New Jersey,” Appearing New York State Division of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Division of Well being Commissioner Dr. James McDonald mentioned in a press release.
Firefighters battle a home hearth Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Lacey Township, N.J. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
Such advisories are triggered when the Air High quality Index is predicted to exceed 100, state officers mentioned.
The advisory will final from 12 a.m. by way of 11:59 p.m. Thursday for the New York Metropolis metro space, which additionally consists of Rockland and Westchester counties, and extends to Nassau and Suffolk counties on Lengthy Island.
Metropolis officers amplified the advisory with a New York Metropolis air high quality alert of its personal.
“Young children, older adults and people with heart or breathing conditions should avoid strenuous and prolonged outdoor activities,” the New York Metropolis Division of Well being mentioned on X.
An AQI above 100 remains to be okay for wholesome individuals, town mentioned, although with a caveat.
“If your eyes are watering, your throat is sore, you have a headache, or you are out of breath or coughing during outdoor activities, take a break and go indoors,” town well being division added.
The fires engulfing the Pine Barrons of New Jersey and shutting down parts of the Backyard State Parkway had hit 12,500 acres by Wednesday afternoon and was anticipated to develop, officers mentioned. Hundreds of individuals have been evacuated, and a state of emergency was in impact, with the fireplace 40% contained.
