Party in the Park is canceled, beaches are closed, and so is the zoo. Wildfire smoke is to blame
By Jeremy Moule, Jimmy Vielkind
July 16, 2026 at 12:20 PM EDT
The air quality in Monroe County reached "very unhealthy" levels by late Thursday morning due to the wildfire smoke permeating the area, prompting county and city officials to close many public facilities and cancel events.
The city of Rochester has canceled tonight's Party in the Park — ticket holders will receive an automatic refund from the seller. It also closed its outdoor pools, spray parks, water features, and Durand Eastman beach
Monroe County closed the Seneca Park Zoo, all county parks and golf courses, and the Ontario Beach Park swim area and spray park. Tonight's Movies in the Park screening at ESL Ballpark also is canceled.
WXXI meteorologist Josh Nichols reports that the smoke should start to shift south later Thursday night, but it will likely return Saturday afternoon.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also warned New Yorkers to stay inside on Thursday and urged summer camps to curtail outdoor activities.
"If there's any way you can possibly stay indoors, please do not venture out," Hochul said. "Shorter dog walking. Please keep the babies inside. Senior citizens, just hold on and stay home for another day and a half."
The state’s Environmental Conservation department has extended an air quality health advisory until midnight on Thursday.
Officials say people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma are at higher risk. The governor says she is coordinating with hospitals around the state. The state is distributing N-95 masks at some Thruway rest stops, including the Clifton Springs stop, according to a representative from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
The city of Rochester has canceled tonight's Party in the Park — ticket holders will receive an automatic refund from the seller. It also closed its outdoor pools, spray parks, water features, and Durand Eastman beach
Monroe County closed the Seneca Park Zoo, all county parks and golf courses, and the Ontario Beach Park swim area and spray park. Tonight's Movies in the Park screening at ESL Ballpark also is canceled.
WXXI meteorologist Josh Nichols reports that the smoke should start to shift south later Thursday night, but it will likely return Saturday afternoon.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also warned New Yorkers to stay inside on Thursday and urged summer camps to curtail outdoor activities.
"If there's any way you can possibly stay indoors, please do not venture out," Hochul said. "Shorter dog walking. Please keep the babies inside. Senior citizens, just hold on and stay home for another day and a half."
The state’s Environmental Conservation department has extended an air quality health advisory until midnight on Thursday.
Officials say people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma are at higher risk. The governor says she is coordinating with hospitals around the state. The state is distributing N-95 masks at some Thruway rest stops, including the Clifton Springs stop, according to a representative from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.