How to protect pets when Canada’s wildfire smoke affects air quality
Canada’s wildfires affected air quality for millions in the U.S. If you can feel the effects, your pets can too. Here is what to do to protect them.
Anastasiia Riddle, Getty Images
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for most of upstate New York due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter in the air. The advisory is in effect until midnight Monday, July 14.
Areas under alert include the Finger Lakes, Central New York, the North Country, Western New York, and the Southern Tier — covering cities such as Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Binghamton, Utica, and Watertown, among others.
Air quality levels are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, which may pose health risks, especially for sensitive groups including young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Health officials recommend:
- Limiting strenuous outdoor activity
- Staying indoors when possible
- Consulting a physician if experiencing symptoms
How to track the air quality in your neighborhood
You can track air quality in New York through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Air Quality Index by visiting dec.ny.gov. Air quality across the country can also be tracked through fire.airnow.gov.
