An air quality alert is in effect in Vermont throughout Aug. 4 due to smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.
The air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, like those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults, the weather service said.
Those who could have trouble with the smoke should avoid being outdoors for extended periods, according to the NWS.
The alert will be in effect until midnight Monday, Aug. 4.
What the air quality will be like in Vermont
Smoke is expected to impact New England most heavily from around 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the weather service said.
"A hazy sky is expected today due to smoke from a wildfire in Canada moving overhead," the weather service in Norton, Mass., said in a Facebook post. "Some of this smoke may get close to the ground later this morning into this evening."
In Burlington, widespread haze is expected all day with a high temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The smoke in Vermont is expected to linger through Tuesday.
Wildfire smoke map
https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/?lat=41.541&lon=-86.858&zoom=5
VT counties under air quality alert
Here are the Vermont counties where the air quality alert is in effect, according to the NWS:
Addison County - western and eastern
Caledonia County - all
Chittenden County - western and eastern
Essex County - western and eastern
Franklin County - northern and southern
Grand Isle County - all
Lamoille County - all
Orange County - all
Orleans County - all
Rutland County - western and eastern
Washington County - all
Windham County - all
Windsor County - western and eastern
What should you do during an air quality alert
Officials urged people to stay indoors to reduce exposure, and to limit strenuous activity. Exposure can cause short-term effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, along with coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.
It can be particularly dangerous for people in sensitive groups, such as children, older people, and those with chronic health conditions.
In Canada, several wildfires are blazing uncontrolled, according to the country's natural resources department.
In early July, Manitoba's government declared a state of emergency for its historic fires.
Material from USA Today was used in this report.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Canadian wildfires causing air quality alert in VT. See smoke map
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