So this is what life has come to for much of upstate New York: checking the air quality reports every couple of days and having a good scientific expert on speed dial.

At least that’s how it is for The Batavian, with air levels reaching up past 150 for Western New York the last few days, signaling a red zone of “unhealthy.”

It was another grey, smoky day in Genesee County on Thursday, including along Route 20 in Bethany, as weather patterns again pushed smoke from wildfires in Canada into New York.

An air quality advisory is in place and is expected to remain in effect until midnight on Friday. 

The projected air quality index could reach 151 for fine particulates.

The National Weather Service states, "The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease."

Photo by Nick Serrata.

Photo by Alison Lang, on Goodman Road, Alexander, who noticed the juxtaposition of dense smoke hanging over Genesee County from Canadian wildfires and beef cattle in a field.

The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit his or her outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans Counties during normal business hours while supplies last. 

Genesee County- Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia
• County Building 2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia
• Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia
• Office for the Aging, 2 Bank Street, Batavia

Orleans County- Business Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion

The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe: 

• Limit time outdoors 
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues 
• Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
• For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight fitting mask 

Exposure to reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including: 

• Irritation to eyes, nose, or throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath

Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.

To monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation Website. 

To monitor the current Air Quality for your area, visit the EPA AirNow website.

To access the Fire and Smoke Map, visit the AirNow Website. 

For more information, residents can call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345. 

If you’re breathing a little easier with the downgraded air quality levels of late, Derek Mallia, assistant professor of atmospheric science at the University of Utah, has projections that may give pause for celebration.

Although the worst may be over, as far as high levels of particulate matter 2.5 are concerned, this region is not out of the woods just yet. So to speak.

“It could be a very intermittent, kind of smoky summer for areas in New York,” Mallia said during a phone interview Friday from Utah with The Batavian.

Press release:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Albany has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates until midnight EDT tonight. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for Fine Particulates. 

The Air Quality Index...or AQI...was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value...the greater the health concern.

When pollution levels are elevated...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit their outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans Counties on Thursday, June 8th, 2023, during normal business hours until supplies last. 

Genesee County- Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia
• Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia

Orleans County- Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion

The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe: 

• Limit time outdoors 
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues 
• Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
• For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight-fitting mask 

Exposure to reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including: 

• Irritation to eyes, nose, or throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath

Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.

To monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation Website. 

To monitor the current Air Quality in your area, visit the EPA AirNow website.

To access the Fire and Smoke Map, visit the AirNow Website. 

For more information, residents can call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345. 

Genesee County,  remains under an air quality health advisory, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The air quality seems to have improved over a significant portion of Western New York, but Genesee County and further east is still a hazardous area, according to the most recent report.

Dear BCSD Families and Community, 

As you may have seen on the news, experts believe the air quality issues we’ve been experiencing due to the fires in Canada will continue in the coming days. 

Therefore, all BCSD outdoor activities are canceled on Wednesday, June 7

We are in talks with Section V regarding tomorrow’s Sectional Flag Football game. As of right now, the game is scheduled to go on as planned, but please keep an eye on our BCSD Facebook page for the most up-to-date information, as the status may change. 

We’ll continue to provide district-wide updates should the air quality issues continue. I’ve also discussed the situation with our Buildings and Grounds team, and they assure me there are no concerns with indoor air quality at this time. 

For additional information on the status of individual school-based activities, like class field trips, you will get more information from your child’s school directly. Please reach out to your child’s main office if you have any questions.  
 

Thank you.

Jason Smith

Superintendent of Schools

UPDATE 10:11 p.m.: The Batavian has asked other district superintendents for their plans for Wednesday. We will update this post and information is released to us.

• Le Roy: Superintendent Merritt Holly said that the district's participation in the Kinderfarmin event in Pavilion, an outside event, has been canceled. Also, physical education classes and recess activities will also remain inside unless the projected air quality levels improve.

UPDATE June 7 at 9 a.m.: 

• Oakfield-Alabama: Superintendent John Fisgus sent the following message to the school community: "The recent forest fires in Canada have significantly impacted the air quality in our WNY region. Based upon the guidance we have received from our various health and weather authorities and out of an abundance of caution, we will be limiting all outdoor activities today, Wednesday, June 7." Some information for today: The ES KInderfarming trip has been canceled. All outdoor activities (recess, PE classes) are canceled for today. Students will remain indoors. The HS Sports Awards Ceremony will continue tonight as scheduled.
• Elba: From Superintendent Gretchen Rosales, "We have been carefully monitoring the air quality index and have been in contact with the Department of Health regarding safe practices for our students and staff.  At this time, we have postponed one outdoor field trip and are holding PE and recess indoors today.  Otherwise, we are holding off on wider cancellations as the air quality index can fluctuate.  While we are taking a wait-and-see approach, we also encourage our Lancer family to always make the best decisions for their children; should any parent or guardian wish to have their child remain indoors for the time being, we will certainly honor their decision."

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: Elba is holding all activities indoors.

If the smells wafting through your open windows have been tinged with burning embers more than tangy barbecue sauce Tuesday, they’re likely coming from wildfires raging through eastern Canada, and a rheumatology expert has five words of advice to keep in mind.