Wildfire smoke and extreme heat make NYC air unsafe to breathe

On July 17, 2026, a blanket of trapped heat pushed NYC temperatures above 90°F while smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted in. On Long Island, air pollution hit 195 on a 0–500 scale — meaning everyone, not just the sick or elderly, could be harmed. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to stay indoors; the city handed out free masks.