BUFFALO, N.Y. – If you stepped outside today and thought the sky looked unusually cloudy or noticed an orange or brown glow overhead, you’re not imagining things. The hazy conditions being seen across Buffalo and much of Western New York are being caused by smoke drifting south from hundreds of active Canadian wildfires, not just ordinary cloud cover. Officials have also issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Western New York due to elevated levels of fine particulate pollution from the smoke.

Residents may notice:

🌫️ A hazy or smoky sky, even during bright sunshine

🟠 An orange or brown tint, especially around sunrise and sunset

👃 A faint campfire smell in some neighborhoods

😷 Reduced air quality that may affect people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, older adults, young children, and anyone sensitive to smoke.

The smoke is traveling hundreds of miles on upper-level winds from large wildfires burning across Canada before filtering down into the lower atmosphere over parts of New York. While many people will simply notice the hazy skies, sensitive individuals may experience coughing, throat irritation, watery eyes, or shortness of breath.

Health officials recommend limiting prolonged outdoor activity if you’re in a sensitive group, keeping windows closed when possible, using air conditioning on recirculate, and monitoring local air quality conditions before spending extended time outdoors.

So if the sky looks “cloudy” but has that unusual brownish or orange appearance, you’re likely looking at Canadian wildfire smoke suspended in the atmosphere rather than a typical overcast day.Stay safe, stay informed, and if you have respiratory or heart conditions, take extra precautions until air quality improves.