UPDATE: Statewide Air Quality Health Advisory in Effect on Thursday

New York State continues to feel the impact of wildfire smoke from parts of Minnesota and Canada, and as a result, the air quality is continuing to deteriorate. State DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, who gave an update during a video conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, says the air quality health advisory that was previously issued for the region has now been extended to include the entire state. She adds that the Air Quality Index for Western New York has risen above the threshold where it's unhealthy for all groups...

Amanda Lefton: we'll see spikes in AQI values

Lefton says this period of smoky air will likely be a prolonged event, adding that air conditions may be worse on Thursday...

Amanda Lefton: might see worse air quality

Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday evening that a statewide air quality health advisory has been issued for Thursday. Air quality is forecast to be unhealthy for the majority of the state. That includes Western New York, where the AQI is forecast to reach 200 for fine particles. Hochul adds that over 100,000 high-quality N95-style masks are being made available to counties in need to address air quality impacts.

Satellite view of wildfire smoke spreading across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast U.S. early Wednesday afternoon