Canada Wildfire Smoke Forces School Closures and Event Cancellations in Tri-State Area

Unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to affect New York City and the Tri-State area, with officials warning residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. The Air Quality Index hit 484, the maximum on the scale, and anything above 300 is considered hazardous. New Jersey's largest school district and some state offices closed due to the poor air quality. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of a million N95 masks and urged residents to stay put. The smoke has also disrupted flights, postponed sports events, and caused health problems for some people.