More than 200 library branches, every NYPD precinct, nine firehouses and four major transit hubs are handing out free KN95 masks in New York City as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts in during a spell of dangerous heat.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani expanded the city’s response on a Wednesday, with heat forecast to continue through Thursday. The heat index on Thursday was forecast to reach the low 90s, and air quality was expected to fall into the “Unhealthy” category. Parts of the city had already reached that level on Wednesday.
“The combination of dangerous heat and unhealthy air is a serious threat to New Yorkers’ health,” Mamdani said. He asked people to stay somewhere cool with air conditioning, limit time outdoors, drink plenty of water and check on neighbors, especially older New Yorkers and anyone with a health condition. Older adults, people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant people, children and infants face the greatest risks.
Cooling centers and masks
The Heat Emergency Plan has been extended through Thursday, and hundreds of cooling centers stay open. Residents can find one, including accessible and pet-friendly sites, at finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/ or by calling 311. Service animals are always welcome.
Masks are also being given out through the Department of Transportation, the Economic Development Corporation, the Department for the Aging and local council members. On Thursday the network grows to every New York Public Library branch and more outdoor summer events. A Mask Distribution Site map lists pickup points.
NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell said outreach workers, librarians, firefighters and police officers are handing out masks in every borough. She urged residents to text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for alerts when conditions change.
Homeless New Yorkers, schools and parks
The Department of Social Services will turn on Code Grey on Thursday alongside Code Red. Outreach teams will step up canvassing to hand out masks and connect homeless New Yorkers with cool, air-conditioned spaces, and COOL vans will check on older adults. Shelter is open to anyone experiencing homelessness, walk-ins welcome. Anyone worried about someone else can call 311.
Public schools have told principals to significantly limit outdoor activities, so outdoor field trips are being rescheduled and ventilation checked. NYC Parks is canceling many outdoor programs, including swim programs for children and infants, and moving camp activities indoors where it can. It will keep watching air quality and visibility and adjust beach and pool operations.
Several agencies, among them the Health Department and the city’s workplace safety committee NYCOSH, are coordinating to protect outdoor workers. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services has issued guidance to city agencies on remote work.
