Millburn Township's Recreation Department shut down outdoor programs Thursday, July 16, after the Township Health Officer declared air quality conditions unhealthy due to wildfire smoke drifting into New Jersey from Canada.

The changes took effect at noon. The township golf course closed after a final tee time at 10:30 a.m. Camps still in session after noon moved all activities indoors. Evening games were canceled outright.

The township pool stayed open for swim programs already underway, including swim team practices and group lessons.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued an Air Quality Action Day for Essex County and four neighboring counties at 6:12 a.m. Thursday, warning that fine particulate matter could approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The alert remained in effect until midnight.

Smoke from more than 180 active wildfires in northern Ontario drove the poor conditions across the Northeast, according to reporting from The Guardian. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported "unhealthy" air quality levels Thursday morning in parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and several other states.

The Millburn Recreation Department said in its alert that it was modifying operations based on the Health Officer's recommendation. The department did not name the Health Officer in its notice.

The CDC warns that children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions face the greatest danger from wildfire smoke exposure. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

For those who must go outside, N95 or P100 respirator masks can filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles. Staying indoors with windows closed remains the safest option.

The township has not announced whether Friday programs will also be affected. Residents can check real-time program and field status at https://twp.millburn.nj.us/recinfo and pool status at https://twp.millburn.nj.us/poolinfo.