Doctors Break Down Wildfire Smoke Dangers In NYC

NEW YORK, NY— As smoke from Canadian wildfires moves across New York City, officials are warning residents that unhealthy air quality levels can affect everyone.

“At unhealthy levels, everyone — not just people with asthma and heart conditions, not just older adults — everyone may feel health effects,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, urging New Yorkers to limit time outdoors, avoid strenuous activity and take precautions as wildfire smoke combines with extreme heat.

Health experts said the biggest risks come from tiny particles in wildfire smoke that can enter the lungs, worsen breathing problems and contribute to long-term health concerns with repeated exposure.

For many New Yorkers, the question is simple: How worried should they be, and what should they do now?

How Dangerous Is The Wildfire Smoke In NYC?

Dr. Eric Ascher, a family medicine physician at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, said the current conditions are manageable for many healthy people, but those with underlying health conditions should take extra care.

“Anybody with a chronic lung condition like asthma or COPD or somebody on a medication that would make it more difficult to breathe should be mindful,” Ascher said.

People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory conditions face a higher risk because wildfire smoke can worsen inflammation in the airways and trigger breathing problems.

Dr. Neelima Tummala, an otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Health, said wildfire smoke affects everyone because everyone is exposed to the polluted air.

“When people breathe in this polluted air, whether you have something like asthma or not, it’s still going to affect the nose,” Tummala said.

The smoke can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, causing congestion, throat discomfort and increased inflammation.

What Symptoms Mean You Should Seek Medical Help?

Not every reaction to wildfire smoke requires medical attention.

Watery eyes, mild throat irritation and nasal congestion are common effects of exposure, Ascher said.

The warning signs are more serious breathing problems.

Ascher said people should pay attention to:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath
• Heavy or unusual breathing
• Wheezing
• Persistent coughing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

“If there’s any sort of dizziness,” Ascher said, “That’s when you know we start to worry about this.”

People who feel these symptoms should seek medical attention, especially if symptoms worsen or feel different from their usual allergies.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between Allergies And Smoke Exposure?

Wildfire smoke can look similar to seasonal allergies because both can cause watery eyes, congestion and throat irritation.

But breathing issues are the key difference.

“If you feel as though you’re somebody who suffers normally from seasonal allergies and this doesn’t feel like that would feel, then I would say it’s likely the wildfires,” Ascher said.

Should You Wear A Mask Outside?

Tummala and Ascher said the most effective protection is reducing exposure.

If outdoor activity is unavoidable, a properly fitted N95 or P100 mask can help filter harmful particles from wildfire smoke.

“Other masks like cloth masks and surgical masks are not going to be helpful against the air pollutants,” Tummala said.

The goal is to prevent tiny particles from entering the respiratory system.

What Else Can New Yorkers Do To Protect Their Health?

Check air quality before going outside.
Weather apps and air quality alerts can help residents decide when outdoor activities are safer.

Keep windows closed.
Closing windows at home and in cars can reduce the amount of smoke entering indoor spaces.

Move workouts indoors.
Strenuous outdoor activity increases the amount of air a person breathes in, increasing exposure.

Use air purifiers when possible.
Indoor filtration can improve air quality during smoke events.

Consider a saline rinse after exposure.
Tummala said a sinus rinse using distilled water and salt may help reduce irritation after being outside.

Can Wildfire Smoke Cause Long-Term Health Problems?

Short-term exposure can cause immediate irritation, but repeated exposure raises bigger concerns.

Wildfire smoke contains harmful chemicals and very small particles that can travel deep into the body.

Research has linked prolonged air pollution exposure to increased risks involving heart health, pregnancy outcomes and lung development in children.

Tummala said some particles can move from the lungs into the bloodstream, potentially increasing risks for conditions beyond the respiratory system.

“There’s the short-term complications," Tummala said. "There’s the long-term concerns."

Why Are Wildfire Smoke Events Becoming More Common?

Tummala said wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent as climate change contributes to longer and more severe wildfire seasons.

She said rising temperatures can also worsen air quality because heat increases ground-level ozone, another pollutant that can affect respiratory health.

“With the planet getting warmer due to climate change, this is worsening wildfire season,” Tummala said.

Mamdani said the City must address both immediate dangers and the broader environmental factors driving them.

“What we see is that the climate crisis exacerbates so much of what our city is facing,” he said.

New York officials have warned that wildfire smoke arriving alongside extreme heat creates a compounded health risk, requiring residents to monitor air quality and adjust outdoor activities.