07/15/2026
Some excellent advice from our friends at the Canandaigua Emergency Squad. Stay safe, everyone!
***Air Quality Alert***
Smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires has moved into our region, resulting in reduced air quality across Ontario County and the Finger Lakes.
Even if you don’t smell smoke, the tiny particles in the air can affect your health—especially if you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, are pregnant, are an older adult, or are very young.
To help protect yourself:
🚑 Limit prolonged outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise.
🏠 Keep windows and doors closed when possible.
❄️ Run your air conditioning on recirculate if available and replace dirty HVAC filters.
😷 If you must spend extended time outdoors and the air quality is poor, consider wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator.
💧 Stay well hydrated and monitor for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort, or irritated eyes and throat.
👨👩👧👦 Check in on elderly neighbors, family members, and anyone with chronic heart or lung conditions.
🐕 Don’t forget your pets—they can also be affected by poor air quality. Keep walks short and provide plenty of fresh water.
If you experience severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or other signs of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
The Canandaigua Emergency Squad encourages everyone to stay informed by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) and taking precautions as conditions change.
Stay safe, take care of one another, and we’ll be here if you need us. 🚑