Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Meandering smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact the skies across the Buffalo-Niagara and Western New York region, causing an opaque haze in the sky at times, particularly visible at sunset.
The smoke has led the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to continue an Air Quality Alert through Sunday, warning those in particular who are sensitive to air quality issues.
Early Sunday, AirNow.gov showed the Buffalo area in the 'unhealthy' range of their guidance.
"Pockets of smoke and haze are expected to hover over portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes this weekend," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. "However, the density and overall aerial coverage of the smoke will continue to decrease."
As of June 4, Canadian government statistics indicated that nearly 6 million acres of forest had been scorched by wildfires, mostly in the central portion of the country. As of June 7, over 200 active fires are burning, sending smoke across the country, AccuWeather says.
Though pockets of smoke leftover from earlier in the month remain in the Midwest and Northeast, thicker plumes are expected to arrive during the new week. While it remains in question how much air quality can be affected at ground level, it seems at least probable that it will be impacted close to the Canadian border for a time from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes region.
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT SUNDAY NIGHT
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Albany has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates until midnight EDT Sunday night.
Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for Fine Particulates. The Air Quality Index...or AQI...was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value...the greater the health concern.
When pollution levels are elevated...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.
Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.