Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email finds you well. As I am sure you are aware, New York City has been experiencing record high levels of unhealthy air quality. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality health advisory warning until noon tomorrow, June 8. Post noon, we will start to see a slow decline in the level of air pollution. 

Our communities have some of the highest rates of asthma in the country. As an asthmatic myself, I urge everyone to take caution and limit outdoor activities,  don’t forget your inhaler, wear a N95 mask, keep all windows in your home closed, use air conditioning and purifiers, and limit outdoor activities. 

Due to the air quality warming and Statewide recommendations to remain indoors, my office will be remote tomorrow and closed this Friday. I highly recommend residents to continue to call the office at 718-792-1140 with issues and leave a voice message. My team will be monitoring the voicemail system and during regular office hours will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Additionally, we can continue to be reached over email at [email protected] and you can find a full staff directory here: https://council.nyc.gov/amanda-farias/staff-directory/. 

Please be cautious of you and your families health and stay safe!

In Community,

Amanda Farías

Council Member, District 18

Tomorrow is Chancellor's Day for school-based staff development, and it is a regularly scheduled non-attendance for students. Given the air-quality conditions expected, tomorrow will be a remote-work day for DOE staff.

Please be advised that alternate side parking regulations will be suspended citywide tomorrow, June 8th so we can all stay safe indoors. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city. 

The City of New York recommends the following steps to limit health risks as a result of the reduced air quality:

• All New Yorkers should limit outdoor activity and stay inside when possible. People with heart or breathing problems and children and older adults may be especially sensitive and should avoid outdoor activities during this time.
• If you are an older adult or have heart or breathing problems and need to be outside, wear a high-quality mask (e.g. N95 or KN95).

Additional recommendations from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency include:

• Stay inside with the doors and windows closed. Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a room unit, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. Ask an air conditioning professional what type of high efficiency filter your air conditioner can accept.
• Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed.
• Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not burn candles or use gas, propane, wood burning stoves, fireplaces, or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum. All of these can increase air pollution indoors.
• Long-term smoke events usually have periods when the air is better. When air quality improves, even temporarily, air out your home to reduce indoor air pollution.

The Governor’s office will be distributing 400,000 to New Yorkers at MTA stations, Public Authority BusTerminal, NY State Parks, and the Javits Center. 



To see where they will be distributed in the Bronx keep up with my social media as well as the Governor’s for updates.

Please be sure to check in on vulnerable neighbors and take precautions to keep friends, family, neighbors, and yourself safe. Do not hesitate to reach out to our office if you need assistance.

Do not barbecue or throw anything lit onto the grass.

For more information on what caused the wildfires in Canada, click here.