Wildfire Smoke Will Linger In NJ: What To Expect

NEW JERSEY — Smoke from Canadian wildfires will linger in the air across New Jersey Wednesday, with additional plumes to be expected into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The smoke will start off lighter than Tuesday, but will still be visible and in concentrations dangerous to people with respiratory diseases.

An additional plume of thick smoke is expected to spread south into the area later Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the National Weather Service's Mount Holly station advising residents to avoid time outdoors. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible in North Jersey Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said.

"Air quality will be very poor today due to the smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada. It is recommend to limit time and any exertion outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation of the respiratory system if you must spend time outdoors today," the weather service said Wednesday.

As of Wednesday morning, air monitoring stations across the state were showing unhealthy air quality levels from Ramsey to Deptford. An air quality alert for the state is in effect until midnight.

The state Department of Environmental Protection declared Tuesday and Wednesday an Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter, with the agency recommending sensitive individuals and children to avoid active time outdoors.

Exposure to air pollutants from the wildfire, which as particulate matter and ground-level ozone, can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing, the weather service said.

"Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, and it can aggravate health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease," the weather service added. "Seniors, children and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk."

There are approximately 160 wildfires burning across Quebec, part of a wider group of more than 300 fires across the country that some are calling Canada's worst fire season ever.

Quebec's fire prevention agency has said high temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to the raging fire season.

Previous fires in Nova Scotia and Alberta have sent smoke into New Jersey, prompting air quality warnings.