By Y.M. Lowy

As air quality concerns continue across New York City due to the Canadian wildfires, the city is expanding its efforts to help residents protect themselves by making free resources more widely available.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that free KN95 masks will be available at hundreds of locations across the five boroughs, with distribution expanding to every New York Public Library branch in addition to Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library locations.

Masks are also available at all NYPD precincts, select FDNY firehouses, major transit stations, and through partnerships with the Department of Transportation, the Department for the Aging, local council members, and other city agencies.

“The combination of dangerous heat and unhealthy air is a serious threat to New Yorkers’ health,” said Mayor Mamdani. “If you can, stay somewhere cool with air conditioning, limit your time outdoors, drink plenty of water and check on your neighbors — especially older New Yorkers and anyone with a health condition”

The expanded distribution comes as the city continues to encourage residents, especially those with respiratory or heart conditions, older adults, children, and others who are more vulnerable, to take precautions when spending time outdoors.