Air Quality Alerts Issued Across 11 U.S. States, Residents Advised to Stay Indoors
Air quality alerts have been issued across 11 states in the U.S., including regions in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern California. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), areas such as New York City, Long Island, northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, and Maryland are affected. On the West Coast, Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange Counties, is experiencing worsening air quality due to wildfire smoke. The primary issue in the Northeast is ground-level ozone, exacerbated by hot, sunny conditions and high-pressure systems trapping pollutants. In California, active wildfires, such as the Sandy Fire near Simi Valley, are contributing to unhealthy air quality levels. Alerts are expected to remain in effect through Tuesday evening, with health officials urging residents to limit outdoor activities. 
