Smoke from Canada wildfires prompt air quality advisory for Long Island
Homeowner Camille Pesce on Saturday inspects damage caused when stormy weather Friday evening toppled a tree onto a parked car in Commack. Credit: Joe Sperber
A busy summer for wildfires in Canada will bring unhealthy air conditions to Long Island on Sunday, according to New York State officials.
The departments of Environmental Conservation and Health issued an air quality advisory starting at midnight Saturday until noon on Sunday.
Officials warned that Long Island, New York City and the upper and lower Hudson Valley could see a high level of fine particulate matter drifting down from Canada where they are fighting 121 active fires in the Manitoba province.
The Air Quality Index, the standard measurement for pollution, is expected to exceed 100 on Sunday, which is considered unhealthy for people with respiratory issues, children and the elderly.
The sooty air could also cause eye and throat irritation and aggravate asthma and heart conditions.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service reported 337 fires so far this year, well above the average of 260 fires per year.
A chance of showers Sunday morning into the day could bring some relief or keep people indoors out of the bad air.
The temperatures should hover around 80 degrees before jumping back up to the 90s on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Government forecasters are predicting the heat index to be around 99 degrees.
Additional showers on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to bring the heat down again to the low 80s during the day and low 70s at night.
'It happened right in your own backyard' NewsdayTV looks back at Long Island's pivotal role in the American Revolution, as well as how LIers are celebrating this year's holiday. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed and Elisa DiStefano are your hosts for this American adventure.
'It happened right in your own backyard' NewsdayTV looks back at Long Island's pivotal role in the American Revolution, as well as how LIers are celebrating this year's holiday. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed and Elisa DiStefano are your hosts for this American adventure.
