Health Alert: Poor Air Quality for Tompkins and Surrounding Counties

(Ithaca, N.Y., July 15, 2026) – Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community that Canadian wildfires are producing smoke that is impacting local air quality. As of the morning on July 15, the air quality in Tompkins County is forecasted to become “Unhealthy”, as defined by the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale.  

The AQI is divided into six categories. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. Each category also has a specific color. The color makes it easy for people to quickly determine whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities. 

With Air Quality in the red zone, members of the general public may experience health effects while sensitive groups have a higher risk of serious health effects. Sensitive groups include: children and teens, older adults, pregnant people, those with lung or heart conditions, those with asthma, those who exercise or work outdoors, and those in underserved communities. 

When pollution levels are elevated to the “Unhealthy” for the general public level, the New York State Department of Health recommends that the following strategies to reduce risk of adverse health effects: 

• Sensitive groups: Avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. 

• Everyone else: Reduce long or intense outdoor activities. Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard. Take more breaks. 

High quality masks, such as N95 and KN95 masks, can be worn outdoors to reduce the inhalation of fine particles from the air. N95s are available to the public, at no cost, at our office at 55 Brown Road, Ithaca NY, for pick up during office hours Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.  Cloth masks and surgical masks are not effective at reducing inhalation of pollutants. 

Do-It-Yourself indoor air cleaners are an affordable and accessible way to protect yourself from air pollutants. DIY air cleaners are made with a box fan and a high-quality air filter. For visual graphic on how to create an indoor air cleaner, as well as additional tips on how to protect yourself indoors or outdoors during poor air quality events, visit Cornell’s Wildfire Risk Mitigation webpage.  

Sign up for Tompkins County SIREN (Safety & Incident Real-Time Emergency Notifications) to receive key community alerts to your phone, text or email. Sign up online at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/siren or dial 211 (1-877-211-8667) for assistance over the phone. 

For additional information, please visit our website or call the NYS DEC Air Quality Hotline at: 800-535-1345.