Just a couple of weeks ago, New Jersey was under an air quality alert. Now the air quality within northern New Jersey and the NYC area is under an advisory once again. This is a result of continued Canadian wildfires. Officials have recommended that residents in the NYC and northern New Jersey area take all the necessary precautions. Read on for what we know about the current air quality conditions in the Montclair, New Jersey area, as well as what precautions to take to stay safe.
Photo Credit: @rfitz1985
Update as of June 28th
On Tuesday, June 28th, Gov. Hochul of New York issued an air quality alert for New York City. Per News12, the alert means that “while they currently project air quality index to be in the moderate range (between 51-100) today, wind patterns can quickly change without notice.” The alert is a precautionary measure in light of the threatening air quality conditions the Northeast saw earlier this month. Officials warn that air quality conditions can also worsen on Thursday.
Currently, over 300 wildfires continue burning in Canada. The carryover from the smoke poses threats to those in “sensitive groups,” who are encouraged to check the air quality before heading outside. NYC officials also encourage residents to “mask up,” an all-too-familiar plea, but one to be taken seriously.
Of course, the proximity of northern New Jersey to New York City means that these conditions could reach the area, too. Right now, the air quality in Montclair is good, but be sure to keep an eye on any changes by tracking AirNow.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as details unfold. For now, stay safe, and keep reading for previous updates on air quality conditions from earlier this month.
Wildfires in Canada
Wildfire season in Canada usually lasts from April-September, but the Washington Post reported that “Canada’s government expected ‘higher-than-normal fire activity'” over the last few weeks, due to “a combination of ongoing drought conditions and hot temperature forecasts.” So how does this affect Montclair? Per the Weather Channel, after a rash of wildfires broke out in the Canadian province of Quebec, the fires were fanned by strong winds around low pressure near the New England coast, which is why the smoke traveled to the Northeast region of the U.S. You can track smoke in the area using this map here.
June 7th in Montclair
If this all sounds familiar, it’s because we experienced the same thing on June 7th. The air quality index in Montclair was 200, which caused an Air Quality Alert from the NJDEP. The polluted air is dangerous for members of “sensitive groups,” or “those with heart or lung conditions, the elderly and children,” and who are advised to reduce their time outdoors. Those in sensitive situations are advised to:
- Stay indoors if possible.
- Keep doors and windows shut.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short, if necessary.
- Move physical activities indoors or reschedule them.
- Wear a mask if outdoors.
Those without pre-existing conditions should take precautions, too. Per the Weather Channel, the smoke can trigger health problems like “coughing, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and other immediate effects.” The Guide for Particle Pollution from the NJDEP advises everyone to reduce long or intense activities and take more breaks during outdoor activities. See the full guide here.
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Per Patch, Councilman Peter Yacobellis stated “The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for New York City and parts of the Tri-State, including our area, due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifting across the region,” and recommended that locals check AirNow for updates on air quality.
This is an ongoing situation, so as always, we’ll keep you up to date with details as they unfold. Follow @themontclairgirl on social media for more updates.
