New York officials issued the Air Quality Health Advisory for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, warning that outdoor air quality may exceed Air Quality Index (AQI) values over 100, which is considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
Alert covers much of upstate and central New York
The affected counties span nearly all of upstate New York, including:
- Western & Central NY: Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Tompkins, Chemung, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates, and others
- Southern Tier: Steuben, Tioga, Broome, and Allegany
- North Country & Adirondacks: St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex
- Capital Region & Hudson Valley: Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Ulster, Dutchess
Communities impacted include Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Albany, and Poughkeepsie.
What the AQI warning means
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a national scale used to assess and report daily air quality. When the AQI exceeds 100 for PM2.5 fine particulates, the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including:
- Young children
- Seniors
- People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions
The advisory recommends that vulnerable individuals limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially in the afternoon and evening hours when pollution levels may peak.
Cause: Smoke from Canadian wildfires
According to the National Weather Service, smoke drifting from wildfires burning in central Canada is responsible for the spike in fine particulate pollution across the Northeast. These small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular issues.
What you should do today
The New York State Department of Health recommends the following precautions:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, particularly in the afternoon.
- Keep windows closed and run air purifiers indoors if available.
- Wear N95 masks outdoors if you have respiratory sensitivities.
- Check local AQI levels using AirNow.gov or on.ny.gov/nyaqi.
If you experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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