Smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota is expected to bring unhealthy air for sensitive groups across much of the Finger Lakes on Sunday, state environmental and health officials said.
The fine-particle advisory will run from midnight through 11:59 p.m. in Central New York and Western New York. The Central New York region includes southern Cayuga, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins and Yates counties, along with other counties outside the Finger Lakes.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health said smoke could cause temporary spikes in unhealthy air in other parts of the state as the plume moves east Sunday. Officials said they will monitor conditions and revise advisories if needed.
Fine particulate matter consists of particles or liquid droplets no larger than 2.5 microns in diameter. Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause coughing, sneezing, a runny nose or shortness of breath, and worsen heart disease and asthma.
People with heart or breathing problems, older adults, children and teens, pregnant people, and those who work or exercise outdoors may be especially sensitive. Officials advised people to consider going indoors, reduce indoor smoke and fumes, and avoid strenuous activity where fine-particle concentrations are high.
Current air quality information is available through state air quality updates or the DEC Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
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