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Smoke from Canadian wildfires ease; Check the air quality near you

Published June 8, 2023 at 10:06 AM EDT

State officials are again warning that unhealthy, smoky air from multiple wildfires burning in Canada will drift over New York this week.

Over 100 wildfires are burning throughout Quebec and Ontario. Combined with an upper-level low pressure system over Nova Scotia, Canada is on track to its worst wildfire season on record.

AirNow.gov

More DIY air filters available at UConn Health

Posted June 9, 2023 at 10:25 AM EDT

All 100+ air filters were picked up Thursday night at UConn Health by members of the community!.

Today from 3-5 p.m., another 50+ air filter DIY box toolkits will be distributed outside the Outpatient Pavilion of UConn Health's lower campus while supplies last.

Important Note: People can also find the supplies at their local hardware store and easily build it themselves at home with online directions from the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative –the informational website is: s.uconn.edu/iaq.

UConn Health will distribute free DIY air filters

Posted June 8, 2023 at 3:05 PM EDT
Amanda Hu
/
Creative Commons

UConn Health will distribute free do-it-yourself air filters to the public. Distribution will be first come, first served outside of the UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, Thursday, June 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The indoor air filters known as “Corsi-Rosenthal” boxes were built by UConn faculty, students and staff as part of the ongoing cross-campus UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative. The DIY air filter devices can help clean the air of wildfire smoke, according to experts at the UConn School of Medicine.

Location:

Outpatient Pavilion building is on lower campus of UConn Health and has a circular drive-up option, valet parking, or parking in Garage 1 across the street.

**Follow signs on campus to the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. Address is: 135 Dowling Way, Farmington, CT

Distribution will continue on Friday as well pending availability. UConn Health will announce if any are left on Friday morning. Learn more about the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative at: s.uconn.edu/iaq

National Weather Service extends air quality alert in Connecticut

Posted June 8, 2023 at 2:23 PM EDT

The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert until 12:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9. The Connecticut Department of Health advises residents to keep all windows and doors closed to keep smoke outdoors.

The City of Stamford announced that all after school and recreational activities for Thursday are canceled.

Hochul deploys Forest Rangers to assist with wildfires

Posted June 8, 2023 at 2:21 PM EDT
Governor Hochul announced that a team of Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers is deploying to assist with efforts to contain wildfires in Canada.
Mike Groll
/
Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
Governor Hochul announced that a team of Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers is deploying to assist with efforts to contain wildfires in Canada.

Governor Kathy Hochul deployed a team from the Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers to assist with efforts to contain wildfires in Canada. The team of seven Forest Rangers join firefighters from New Hampshire and Maine in Quebec.

"While we continue to monitor the haze caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires, we are fortunate to have Forest Rangers trained and ready to take on the daunting task ahead," Hochul said. "New Yorkers are always at the ready to help those in need, and I thank our brave wildland firefighters whose efforts will be critical in containing these wildfires."

Bridgeport opens cooling centers during air quality advisory

Posted June 8, 2023 at 2:19 PM EDT

The City of Bridgeport opens cooling centers to seek shelter during periods of heat and the current air quality advisory. Homeless communities can visit during the air quality advisory by calling 211. Residents can use any of the locations listed below:

Cooling Centers:

  • Senior Centers (Open weekdays only)
  • Black Rock Senior Center – 2676 Fairfield Avenue, (8:00am- 3:00pm)
  • East Side Senior Center – 268 Putnam Street (8:00am- 3:00pm)
  • Eisenhower Senior Center – 307 Golden Hill Street, (8:00am-3:00pm)
  • North End Bethany Senior Center – 20 Thorme Street, (8:00am- 3:00pm)

GBT Station - 710 Water Street, Mon- Fri (9:00am- 9:00pm)

Bridgeport Public Library Branches

  • Main Branch – 925 Broad Street, Mon & Tues (10:00am- 6:00pm), Wed & Thurs (12:00pm- 8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am- 5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).
  • Black Rock Branch – 2705 Fairfield Avenue, Mon & Wed (10:00am- 6:00pm), Tues & Thurs (12:00pm- 8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am- 5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).
  • Newfield Branch – 755 Central Avenue, Mon & Tues (10:00am- 6:00pm), Wed & Thurs (12:00pm- 8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am- 5:00pm). Sunday (Closed).
  • North Branch – 3455 Madison Avenue, Mon & Wed (10:00am- 6:00pm), Tues & Thurs (12:00pm- 8:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am- 5:00pm) Sunday (Closed).
  • East Side Branch – 1174 East Main Street, Mon (10:00am- 6:00pm), Tues (12:00pm- 8:00pm) Wed (12:00pm- 8:00pm) Thurs (10:00am- 6:00pm), Fri & Sat (10:00am -5:00pm) Sunday (Closed).

Enhanced measures taken to protect horses at New York state race tracks

Posted June 8, 2023 at 12:49 PM EDT
Horses and jockeys charge toward the finish of a race on Santa Anita Derby day. The Derby was the most prominent event on a schedule that included 11 horse races.
Tom Goldman
/
NPR
Horses and jockeys charge toward the finish of a race.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced enhanced measures to protect horses at New York state race tracks.

The New York State Gaming Commission directed all tracks to stop all racing, training and workouts until further notice. Racing will resume depending on guidance from veterinary experts and the condition of the air quality. The Gaming Commission will monitor Air Quality Index (AQI) before making decisions.

If the AQI exceeds 200 at a specific facility, no racing or training may be conducted at that track. If the AQI is under 150: Horsepersons should monitor their horses for signs of respiratory inflammation. Otherwise, it is safe to exercise or race horses.

Hochul updates New Yorkers on dangerous air quality

Posted June 8, 2023 at 12:05 PM EDT
Mike Groll
/
Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul updates New Yorkers on dangerous air quality in the state. Hochul advises that residents use face masks when outside. Schools will remain open but after school and outdoor activities are canceled. Hochul said it is not safe for young children to be outside.

Hochul announced that the state will send firefighters to Canada for assistance in the next few weeks.

“These are unprecedented numbers,” Hochul said. “This is the worst air quality we had at least since the 1960s when we started monitoring.”

When using air conditioning in your home or car, remember to press the recirculate button. Check to make sure the air filters are clean. It is okay to work out indoors but outdoor activity is discouraged.

New York State Air Quality Hotline: (800) 535-1345

DEEP classifies air quality in Connecticut as "unhealthy"

Posted June 8, 2023 at 12:01 PM EDT

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has classified the air quality as “unhealthy” across the state. DEEP said the fine particulate matter will continue to linger throughout the day as smoke slowly disperses. It is advised that sensitive groups should avoid being outdoors and even healthy individuals should limit prolonged exertion outside.

Connecticut exceeding the federal air quality standard, EPA says

Posted June 8, 2023 at 11:07 AM EDT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Connecticut is one of several states exceeding the federal air quality standard for the next 24 hours. There are high concentrations of fine particle air pollution. Sensitive groups such as the elderly, people with respiratory disease or compromised health should stay indoors.

Advice-

  • Limit your outdoor exercise when it is smoky. 
  • Keep your indoor air cool and clean. 
  • Wear an N-95 mask outdoors when wildfire smoke is in the air.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Stay up to date on current air quality and forecasts near you through the AirNow app.

The EPA and the U.S. Forest Service developed the map to give the public information on fire locations, smoke plumes, near real-time air quality and actions to take to protect your health -- all in one place. The map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov, or by tapping the Smoke icon in the AirNow app.

New York

Masks are available at Grand Central and Penn Station

Posted June 8, 2023 at 9:53 AM EDT
Times Square is enveloped in smoke from Canadian wild fires, in New York City.
Mike Groll
/
Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
Times Square is enveloped in smoke from Canadian wild fires, in New York City.

One million N95 masks will be available to New Yorkers to reduce exposure to unhealthy air quality from wildfires burning in Canada.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a warning Wednesday night to avoid outdoor activities while air quality alerts are in effect. “One thing we can do is make sure that people keep masks in their homes, [and] stay at home," she said. "And again, no strenuous activities.”

More than 400,000 masks will be available to Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road commuters headed into New York City. The N95 masks can be picked up at Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Jamaica Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and other city sites. Counties, cities and towns across New York can also pick up 600,000 masks for their communities at state Homeland Security drop-off locations.

Forecasts show the air quality could improve by Friday, but additional wildfires due to climate change may bring smoky skies this summer. You can check the air quality in your zip code at airnow.gov.

"Now we're seeing something that is absolutely unprecedented. So, with climate change, we have to be prepared for all conditions, especially what we're experiencing now," Hochul said.