NEW JERSEY — Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to continue affecting New Jersey through at least Friday, with the National Weather Service forecasting smoke across much of central New Jersey and Governor Mikie Sherrill urging residents to limit outdoor activities as unhealthy air quality persists.
Governor Mikie Sherrill also urged residents to take precautions as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to affect air quality across the state.
“Smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue to impact air quality across New Jersey today,” Sherrill said in a statement posted Thursday. “I encourage all residents, especially members of sensitive groups, to limit outdoor activities. If you do go outside, please stay hydrated and take precautions.”
Sherrill also asked residents to check on neighbors, particularly seniors and those with underlying health conditions, and directed the public to AirNow.gov to monitor air quality conditions.
The National Weather Service’s forecast for central New Jersey, including the Jersey Shore area, calls for smoke during the day Friday, followed by patchy smoke Friday night before a weekend storm system is expected to improve conditions. Saturday’s forecast includes an 80% chance of showers during the day and a 90% chance of rain Saturday night, weather that could help clear much of the lingering smoke from the atmosphere.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued Code Red Air Quality Alerts for portions of the state as concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reached unhealthy levels due to smoke drifting south from ongoing wildfires burning across Canada.
Governor Mikie Sherrill urged residents to take precautions as the smoky conditions continue.
“Smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue to impact air quality across New Jersey today,” Sherrill said. “I encourage all residents, especially members of sensitive groups, to limit outdoor activities. If you do go outside, please stay hydrated and take precautions.”
She also encouraged residents to check on neighbors, particularly seniors and those with underlying health conditions.
Health officials recommend that children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions remain indoors as much as possible while air quality remains poor. Residents are advised to keep windows closed, operate air conditioning systems on recirculation mode when available, and consider wearing a properly fitted N95 or KN95 mask if prolonged outdoor activity cannot be avoided.
While the smoky skies have reduced visibility and produced the smell of burning wood in many communities, forecasters say the event is not expected to produce the orange-colored skies experienced during the Canadian wildfire smoke event that affected the Northeast in June 2023.
The National Weather Service forecast indicates that improving weather conditions over the weekend should gradually reduce smoke concentrations as showers move across the region.
Residents can monitor current air quality conditions at AirNow.gov and check updated forecasts through the National Weather Service.
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