New Jersey Wildfire Triggers NYC Air Quality Alert as Smoke Spreads
New York City and Long Island are under an air quality alert due to smoke drifting from a massive wildfire burning in New Jersey.
Health officials are urging residents—especially those with existing health conditions—to minimize time spent outdoors, according to Newsweek. Elevated pollution levels can be particularly hazardous for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, heart disease, or chronic lung issues.
Air quality across Long Island and the New York City metro area is forecasted to reach “unhealthy for sensitive groups” levels on Thursday, based on the New York State Air Quality Index. In contrast, areas like the Upper and Lower Hudson Valley, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York are expected to see “moderate” air quality.
The National Weather Service shared the alert, emphasizing that “when pollution levels rise, the New York State Department of Health advises limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce health risks.”
The Air Quality Index (AQI), created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ranks air pollution on a scale of 0 to 500:
- 0–50 (Green): Good – Air quality is satisfactory.
- 51–100 (Yellow): Moderate – Acceptable, but may affect sensitive individuals.
- 101–150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Risk for people with heart or lung conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant individuals.
- 151–200 (Red): Unhealthy – Health effects possible for everyone.
- 201–300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy – Health warnings for emergency conditions.
- 301–500 (Maroon): Hazardous – Poses serious health threats to all.
The alert follows the ongoing efforts to contain the Jones Road wildfire in New Jersey. As of Thursday morning, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported the fire had scorched roughly 13,250 acres and was 50% contained.
The wildfire began around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, located in Barnegat Township. It has since spread into Lacey and Ocean townships, prompting the closure of major highways and the evacuation of thousands of residents.