Wildfire Smoke Will Linger In RI: What To Expect

RHODE ISLAND — Smoke from Canadian wildfires will linger in the air across Rhode Island through Wednesday and likely into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The smoke will be lighter than Tuesday — when the entire state was under an air quality advisory — but will still be visible and in concentrations dangerous to people with respiratory diseases.

"Smoke will linger across southern New England today and perhaps Thursday due to wildfires from Quebec," the National Weather Service tweeted. "Sensitive groups should avoid prolonged outdoor activity today as the smoke will reach the surface."

The state's air monitoring forecasts showed an unhealthy level of fine particles Wednesday at all three of Rhode Island's monitoring stations.

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 England, prompting air quality warnings.