The tri-state area is experiencing hazy skies due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The haze, which is not as heavy as last year's, is expected to last for several days. According to forecasters, winds blowing from the north are drawing in smoke to the mid-and-upper levels of the atmosphere. However, they do not anticipate any harmful effects on air quality for now.
The smoke is a result of significant wildfire activity in the western U.S. and Canada. According to WXPR, dozens of wildfires are currently burning hundreds of thousands of acres in these regions. The smoke from these fires can cause serious health issues, especially for those with underlying health conditions.
The air quality in the tri-state area is currently graded as "moderate," meaning the air quality is considered acceptable and the level of concern is only moderate. This grading is according to AirNow.gov, a site that measures air quality. This means only the most at-risk groups, or people who are especially sensitive to particulate matter pollution, should exercise caution.
Further south, the Maryland Department of the Environment also confirmed the presence of the haze, stating that the smoke particles' concentrations do not warrant air quality alerts for fine particles. However, the smoke will likely be perceptible. The department expects the residual smoke to begin leaving the region by Friday.