SULLIVAN—Sullivan County, New York, found itself shrouded in a thick veil of smoke on Tuesday and Wednesday as Canada battled intense wildfires in Quebec. The sky appeared eerie, resembling a blazing inferno due to the heavy smoke.

Over 150 wildfires continue to burn in Quebec, causing hazy conditions and severely impacting air quality to dangerous levels across New York State. 

The lingering smell of distant burns hung in the air, causing some individuals eye irritation and respiratory difficulties. 

Authorities issued advisories and warnings as the air quality continued to deteriorate, urging individuals with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease or asthma, as well as older adults and young children, to limit their outdoor exposure and avoid engaging in strenuous activities due to the extreme poor air quality. 

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared the thick smoke situation a crisis and has taken action by procuring 400,000 N-95 masks specifically for New York City. Furthermore, she has made an extra 600,000 masks accessible to local governments for them to collect and distribute in their own areas.

No word as of presstime when they will be available to Sullivan County residents. 

“Our number one priority right now is keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Gov. Hochul. “Prolonged exposure to this harmful air will cause negative health impacts, which is why we’re making high-quality masks available at high-traffic areas across New York. I am encouraging everyone in impacted regions across the state to stay indoors and reduce their exposure to this harmful smoke until air quality improves.”

Acting New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, said that those experiencing symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms should consider seeking medical advice from their personal physician.

Exposure to the smoke emanating from the Canadian wildfires can lead to various short-term health effects, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, persistent coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.

On Tuesday, when the smoke initially appeared, Alex Rau, the E-911 Coordinator and EMS Coordinator of Sullivan County, stated that the county received approximately 150 calls from individuals expressing their worries about the smoke. Many callers mistakenly believed that there was a fire incident happening locally.

The smoke has been directed toward the south, directly impacting the Northeast region of the United States due to the counterclockwise air flow generated by the system responsible for these fires.

Bryan Greenblatt, a Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Binghamton, said this phenomenon is expected to persist throughout the week, with the peak of smoke concentration occurring this past Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Although there is an expectation for improvement by the end of the week, it is anticipated that smoky and hazy skies will persist for the next few days and may last longer than initially anticipated.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Air Quality Index indicated a significant deterioration in many areas of the state, including Sullivan County, with the needle moving from unhealthy levels to hazardous levels throughout the day.

Additionally, Greenblatt said, “We don’t generally see the air quality this poor. Generally, fires are usually from fires out west and have a lower concentration. These fires are from Canada, Quebec, and the northerly winds were getting a higher concentration of smoke toward the surface,” added Greenblatt. 

According to the Governor’s office, a DEC Forest Ranger and an expert wildland firefighter were deployed to assist in containment efforts for the wildfires in Canada.

As the smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to impact Sullivan County, residents are urged to stay informed about air quality conditions and take necessary steps to stay safe.