
Air quality is poor throughout New Jersey because of smoke from wildfires in Canada, in addition to a brush fire that broke out in Jackson on Tuesday. Parents should keep their kids indoors as much as possible to protect them from the smoke and haze, experts say.
The Northeast is currently at Purple level, which means it’s very unhealthy, according to AccuWeather. Wednesday and Thursday were declared Air Quality Action Days for Particulate Matter, meaning there is lots of debris in the air and people who are have sensitivities need to take precautions, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pain, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing, according to the National Weather Service. You’re especially at risk if you have asthma, heart disease or lung disease. Seniors, pregnant women, kids, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
“Children with underlying conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis are particularly vulnerable to this current environmental problem,” says Maya Ramagopal, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and associate professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “The recommendations are similar to those that are made for ‘at-risk ‘adults, and I would like to emphasize the need to adhere to your child’s medication regimen to offer the lungs the most protection. Your lungs don’t fully develop until you are about 20-25 years old so it is vital that you protect children and young adults from wildfire smoke and air pollution as it may affect their lung development and put them more at risk for long-term health conditions. Don’t let kids play outdoors during times when air quality is unhealthy and have them wear an N95 mask if they must be outdoors.”
Kristin Fless, MD, pulmonologist at RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, says you should wait to be outdoors. “But if you must be outside, try to shorten the amount of time you’re active or opt for a less strenuous activity such as walking over running.”
At home, Fless says it’s important to keep the windows closed with your central air conditioner or window unit running. You should also use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from the smoke such as a HEPA filter. If that’s not available, she says to seek shelter elsewhere.
Fless also says to be careful to not add any indoor air pollution to your home, such as burning candles or using gas, propane, woodburning stoves, fireplaces or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum during this time as all of these can increase air pollution indoors, she says.

Experts say breathing the air in the NYC area right now for 24 hours is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes.
Because of the poor air quality, some schools around the state issued a half day on Wednesday, such as Wayne Twp. Public Schools; or are holding recess inside, such as Clifton Public Schools. High Point Regional High School moved its Powderpuff game to Thursday. Jackson Twp. schools are open, but outdoor activities are limited.
Leonard D. Fitts, interim superintendent of schools for Ridgewood Public Schools, said HVAC intake air dampers have been adjusted to limit outside airflow into the buildings, and air purifiers have been placed in all classrooms to help clean the air. Window air conditioning units that do not take in air from the outside can be used.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is also monitoring the situation. “NJSIAA is closely monitoring air quality data across New Jersey and local/state health advisories,” authorities said in a statement. “As start times for athletic events draw near, we will make decisions for each venue and sport based on currently available information. Schools should monitor official NJSIAA communications only for updates and understand that all schedules are subject to change.”
On Thursday, the NJSIAA moved the Baseball Non-Public State Finals have from Thursday to Friday at the same times and locations. The two-day NJSIAA Group Track Meets schedule for Fridayand Saturday at Delsea High School and Franklin High School will be moved to a one-day meet on Saturday, June 10. The start time of the meet will be 9:30 a.m. both for running and field events.
If your local rec or travel team isn’t canceling outdoor sports practice, experts recommend having your kid skip a day.
As of press time, Six Flags Great Adventure was still operating under a normal schedule. PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel postponed Thursday night’s Cousin Brucie Presents show. Tunes at Twilight featuring Swing Sabroso and South Street Salsa, scheduled for Friday, has been moved to Friday, June 16, in North Brunswick.
Due to Camden County’s declaration of a Code Red for Unhealthy Air, Haddon Twp. and the Haddon Township Equality Initiate (HTEI) postponed their third annual HT Pride Parade and Events. They are canceled for Thursday and Friday, with the new dates to be announced soon.
Everyone should limit their outdoor activities, such as jogging in the park, taking the dog for a walk or working outdoors. If you have to be outside, consider wearing a mask to protect your throat and lungs.
“As conditions worsen statewide, I strongly urge all sensitive individuals – including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young – to stay safe and limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors today,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday morning. “Make no mistake, from the wildfires in Canada to those cropping up with increasing frequency and severity in our own backyard, these extreme weather events are tangible – and devastating – evidence of the intensifying climate crisis. As the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service works tirelessly to protect our residents and properties across the state, we will continue to do our own part by pursuing the bold action our climate reality demands.”
The wildfire smoke is affecting travel, too; more than 2,000 flights have been canceled across the country, including more than 150 in the NYC area. The smoke is affecting visibility.
Fires in Jackson are basically contained, but the smoke coming from Canada is expected to last a few more days. Levels of fine particulates will remain elevated statewide through Thursday and potentially into the evening hours. Sunny skies are forecast for much of the day on Thursday; however, clouds and showers will advance southward, according to AirNow.
The National Weather Service reports that rain and drizzle may be coming to the Northeast on Saturday which will help with the situation, but there are still air quality alerts from the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic all the way down to Georgia and Alabama.
To check the air quality in your area, head to the government’s AirNow website and put in your ZIP code.
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