In New York, air quality readings weren’t as bad as they were earlier in the month, when the index hovered between 300 and 500 in some parts of the state. However, some public health risks remained.
The air quality index in western New York hit 125 Thursday morning, meaning it’s considered unhealthy for vulnerable groups including children and people who are pregnant or have lung, asthma or heart conditions. The air quality index in central New York was 189, which is considered unhealthy for all groups.
“Even today, enjoying the great outdoors is still appropriate for most people in the city,” Jackie Bray, commissioner for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Service, said at the news conference. “That’s not true in the backcountry.”
Across western New York, some people said they were unaffected by the smoke, while others changed plans because of it.
Zackary Martin, 22, of Springville, New York, southeast of Buffalo, said he decided not to hike his favorite trail because of poor air quality. “It made me reevaluate my plans for the whole week,” he said.
And inside the food court at the Walden Galleria mall in the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga, Lakisha Tyson said she decided against it even though she and her two children, ages 16 and 7, have no health issues that affect their breathing around to take her to the park.
“It’s not a good smell; It’s a toxic smell,” said Ms Tyson, 39, of Rochester. “You have to wear a mask.”
Jesse McKinley, Lola Fadulu,Dan Bilefsky, Michael Wines, Lauren D’Avolio, Campbell Robertson, Carrie Blackmore Smith and Ida Lieszkovszky contributed to the reporting
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