Last week’s theme song could have been reminiscent of an old Deep Purple tune, one that almost everyone could strum on guitar. With forest fires burning in Canada, a weather pattern swept the smoke down through the state of New York and beyond, with the highest Air Quality Index levels being measured in New York City, Philadelphia, Pa., and the outlying regions.
In Owego, N.Y., Tuesday started out with the smell of smoke in the air; similar to what one might smell around a campfire. But by Wednesday morning the air became thicker, and the AQI rose to harmful levels, forcing the cancellation of many outdoor activities. Later in the day, however, the AQI levels were lower until they climbed up again on Thursday morning.
The Susquehanna River was not visible from Sa Sa Na Loft at Historic Evergreen Cemetery on Wednesday. Photo credit: Bob Argetsinger.
As of this reporting, the AQI was hovering around 150 in Owego, according to AccuWeather, a level that is ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’. On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced approximately one million high-quality N95-style masks will be made available to New Yorkers as smoke and haze as a result of ongoing Canadian wildfires continue to impact air quality throughout the state. Initial distribution began in the New York City area, where the AQI rose to extremely hazardous levels. You can read her announcement at www.owegopennysaver.com/PS/2023/06/07/governor-hochul-announces-n95-masks-to-be-made-available-to-new-yorkers-as-effects-of-canadian-wildfires-continue-to-impact-air-quality-in-nys/.
“Prolonged exposure to this harmful air will cause negative health impacts, which is why we’re making high-quality masks available at high-traffic areas across New York,” Governor Hochul wrote in a press release on Wednesday, adding, “I am encouraging everyone in impacted regions across the state to stay indoors and reduce your exposure to this harmful smoke until air quality improves.”
She also recommended that outdoor school activities and any other outdoor activities be postponed on Wednesday in impacted regions until conditions improve.
DEC and DOH experts continue to monitor air quality, watching smoke and weather patterns closely. The latest AQI Forecast can be viewed at www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_forecast.cfm.
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