You wouldn’t guess it by looking out the window right now at the beautiful blue skies and fluffy cumulous clouds, but the Canadian wildfires continue to have an affect on the air quality in Central New York.
Today, July 16, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality alert for our region, including Onondaga County and the Town of Pompey. They are expecting smoke to move in from the northwest after midnight tonight, bringing a visible smokey haze by morning and raising the air quality index (AQI) to at least 100+ for fine particulate. Sources are predicting the AQI could rise above 150 before the smoke hopefully begins to move through after 11:59pm Monday night.
What is AQI?
The Air Quality Index — or AQI — is a simple visual and numeric scale that the NYSDEC and other government agencies use to inform the public on air quality. A “good” AQI level is anywhere between 0 to 50. Between 50 and 100 is “acceptable” but could cause problems for individuals who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD.
An AQI above 150 is considered “unhealthy” for the general public, even those not susceptible to respiratory issues. Tomorrow’s number is expected to breach this level throughout the 24-hour alert period.
The NYSDEC advises that individuals monitor the AQI in their immediate area and limit outdoor activity if numbers rise above 150, and those with compromised respiratory systems should not take any unnecessary risks.
For real-time air quality readings, or for more information on air quality and steps you can take to protect yourself, visit airnow.gov.
