New jersey air quality alert issued as canadian wildfire smoke moves into state

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Wednesday as smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to impact portions of the state, with some forecasters warning conditions could deteriorate further by Wednesday evening.

The alert covers Ocean County, coastal Ocean County, and southeastern Burlington County, where elevated levels of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Sensitive groups urged to limit outdoor activity

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means pollution concentrations may reach levels that are unhealthy for children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart disease, or other lung conditions. The DEP recommends those individuals reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity while air quality remains elevated.

Additional information on air quality forecasts is available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Smoke expected to spread statewide

The Wyckoff Police Department warned Tuesday that smoke visible high in the atmosphere is expected to settle closer to the ground beginning Wednesday, leading to declining air quality across northern New Jersey.

“Between 5 and 9 PM tomorrow evening, a more significant push of smoke will arrive,” the department said in a weather statement. “That will easily push AQI values above 100 everywhere, and likely above 150, which becomes unhealthy for the general public.”

Officials said smoke is expected to linger into Thursday, with northwesterly winds potentially bringing another day of poor air quality. While the event is expected to be significant, the department noted it is not anticipated to reach the severity of the widespread Canadian wildfire smoke event that affected the region in 2023 because the current fires are located farther away in central Ontario.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality forecasts and consider limiting outdoor exercise if smoke becomes noticeable.

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