NYC Air Quality Alert: Smoke from New Jersey Wildfires Impacts City

New York City and Long Island are under an air quality advisory due to smoke from the Jones Road wildfire in New Jersey. The state health and environmental conservation departments issued the alert for fine particulate matter, impacting the air quality.

<img src="https://i0.wp.com/www.nydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AP25113455217946_175364.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1" alt="Firefighters battle a house fire in New Jersey">

The advisory, in effect from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thursday, covers the NYC metro area (including Rockland and Westchester counties) and extends to Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. The New York City Department of Health advises young children, older adults, and people with heart or breathing conditions to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Even for healthy individuals, the city advises caution: If you experience symptoms like watering eyes, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath, or coughing while outdoors, take a break and head indoors.

The New Jersey wildfire, engulfing the Pine Barrons and closing parts of the Garden State Parkway, has already reached 12,500 acres and is expected to grow. Thousands have been evacuated, and a state of emergency is in effect.

For more information:

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Advisory
• New York City Department of Health alert on X
• Learn more about the New Jersey Wildfires