India, July 16 -- Smoke from hundreds of active Canadian wildfires continues to blanket parts of New York, bringing hazy skies and unhealthy air quality to millions of residents. The National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert for much of the New York City metropolitan area, while officials warn that smoke may linger through the end of the week.

Here's everything you need to know about how long the smoke will last, current Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, health risks, and ways to stay protected.

Why is New York Experiencing Hazy Skies?

The smoky conditions are being caused by more than 830 wildfires burning across Ontario, Canada, along with fires in parts of Minnesota. Weather patterns have carried the wildfire smoke sout...