SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued a statewide Air Quality Alert due to the smoke from fires in Canada.
Canadian wildfire smoke is back in the atmosphere over western Massachusetts. Expect the sky to look hazy and you may even smell smoke at times.
The Air Quality Alert is in effect until 12:00 a.m. Thursday. The smoky haze will still be here on Wednesday, but not quite as thick. The air quality will still be poor, especially in the afternoon and evening.
Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for people sensitive to air quality including those with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone.
MassDEP advises people, especially those with lung ailments, to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
According to Mass Air Online, early Tuesday morning, the pollution is the worst in Berkshire and Franklin County, but it will likely drift toward the Springfield Metro Area over the course of the morning.
Latest News
- Blood donations are urgently needed! Here’s where to donate
- Springfield Parks Department celebrates 140 years with family-friendly events at Forest Park
- Scalise enters Speaker’s race
- American Girl unveils its 2024 ‘Girl of the Year’
- Fallin’ Into Fun and Monster Mayhem are just two of the fun events at the Springfield Museums this month
Duncan MacLean is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2019. Follow Duncan on X @DMacLeanWWLP and view his bio to see more of his work.
