Air quality health advisory in effect Thursday for L.I. and Metro NY, due to massive wildfire in N.J.

An air quality health advisory is in effect Thursday for Long Island and the Metropolitan New York City Region for fine particulate matter caused by a massive wildfire that has burned thousands of acres in the New Jersey Pine Barrens since it erupted Tuesday. The fire has burned more than 12,000 acres and as of Wednesday afternoon, was about 40% contained, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Fine particles are able to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure to fine particles can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath, the Suffolk County Health Department said in a press release this afternoon. Exposure to fine particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease, the department said.

Fine particulate matter, also known as PM_2.5, come primarily from motor vehicle exhaust,  the burning of fossil fuels, or forest fires. It may be  carried by wind from wildfires or volcanic eruptions hundreds of miles away.

The wildfire in New Jersey has caused numerous evacuations and air quality alerts there.

Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott advises that all residents, especially young children, seniors, those who exercise outdoors , and those with pre-existing respiratory or heart problems, limit strenuous outdoor activity. If you experience eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, or chest pain contact your medical provider, Piggott said.

The air quality health advisory will be in effect from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Thursday. The state DEC and DOH issue air quality health advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI on Thursday is expected to reach 101 on Long Island tomorrow. An AQI of 101 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Information about PM_2.5 and health is available on the New York State Department of Health website.

Fire danger is high in several regions in New York, including Long Island, due to dry conditions across the state, the state DEC said. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. Fires may become serious and controlling them difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. See DEC’s updated fire danger map.

A statewide burn ban remains in effect through May 14.

Open burning is prohibited, with these exceptions:

• Campfires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
• Small cooking fires are allowed.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
• Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
• Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.