The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the alert due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter in the air. Air Quality Index (AQI) values are forecasted to rise above 100, indicating unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.

As Canada grapples with one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, smoke from the blazes have prompted air quality alerts across the U.S.

Air quality has taken a serious hit across the United States as a twofold blow of wildfires in the West and in Canada have sent smoke pouring across large sections of the country — a problem that’s set to linger for days.