New York on red alert for heat and air quality ahead of World Cup final | OneFootball

New York has been placed on red alert for poor air and extreme heat, with residents urged to stay indoors and wear masks. According to L'Équipe, the warnings come two days before the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, about 15 km west of Manhattan.

After several days of intense heat, the city is now contending with smoke from wildfires in Ontario, Canada, which is sharply worsening air quality. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 21:00 in France and 15:00 on the East Coast.

Temperatures are forecast to ease slightly on Thursday, with highs around 32°C, yet many homes without air conditioning are likely to feel oppressive. State environmental services expect an air quality index of 200 across the New York area, a level deemed poor for the entire population.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said it is dangerously hot and that smoke from Canadian wildfires has further degraded the city’s air, urging residents to be especially cautious. He advised people to use air-conditioned spaces, limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and check on the most vulnerable.

In response, the city will keep several hundred cooling centres open to provide air-conditioned refuge from heat and smoke. Authorities discourage pools, beaches or outdoor water play if air quality worsens, saying cooling centres are safer. Free masks are being distributed to reduce exposure to fine particles.

Source: L'Équipe