Another Day Of Smoky Air In MA Due To Wildfire Smoke: MassDEP

WORCESTER, MA — State environmental officials have extended an air quality advisory through the end of Friday due to wildfire smoke drifting across the region from Canada.

MassDEP initially issued an advisory for sensitive groups for western and central Massachusetts on Wednesday, but updated the alert on Thursday evening to continue through the end of the day Friday.

"Wildfire smoke from Canada will likely continue to influence particle pollution levels. Fine particle levels are forecast to average in the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) range in western and central areas of the state. Moderate levels are forecast for eastern areas," the agency said in a forecast Thursday afternoon.

The advisory covers groups like people with lung or heart disease, older adults and children. The advisory was also in effect for Franklin, Hampshire, Berkshire and Hampden counties.

There are hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada in what is being called that nation's worst wildfire season on record. Other parts of the U.S. — the Midwest and parts of Pennsylvania in particular — have some of the worst air quality levels in the world right now, according to the Air Quality Index.

In central Massachusetts, the air monitoring station along Summer Street in Worcester showed air quality at a "moderate" levels. At that level, the state advises sensitive groups to "consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors."

The air quality is projected to be in that range through Saturday, according to forecasts.