


The City Council plans to hold a hearing next week into Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the dangerous plumes of smoke and soot from Canadian wildfires that blanketed the city, turning the skies a frightening orange and forcing many New Yorkers with respiratory problems indoors.
Adams was faulted by some lawmakers for a slow-footed response as the administration’s first warning about the toxic conditions came shortly before midnight amid deteriorating conditions, despite hours of warnings from meteorologists and scientists about the approaching hazard.
The smog descended upon the five boroughs late on June 6 and became so intense the whole city turned orange by June 7 and slowly dissipated through that weekend.
Council records show that the hearing is scheduled to take place on July 12.
In a statement, the Adams administration defended its response to the crisis again.
“The city mounted a whole-of-government response to keep New Yorkers informed and protected during last month’s smoke event,” said City Hall spokeswoman Kate Smart.