Low air quality levels are prompting warnings and advisories in Florida after smoke from wildfires in Canada approaches the Southeast.
A smoky haze is seen over Florida, causing health concerns for residents. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in the Tampa Bay region, Central Florida, the Space Coast, Southwest Florida and parts of South Florida AirNow card.
The air quality index outside of Lakeland, Florida is 174. Anything above 150 is unhealthy for the general public.
The wildfire smoke in Florida is due to a combination of a low pressure system over the state last weekend and a high pressure system over the eastern US. Winds from these systems brought unhealthy conditions as far away as Miami.
Outdoor activities should be light and short. Go indoors if you notice symptoms. High-risk groups, which include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant women, should limit their outdoor activities.
Smoke is made up of fine particles and gases when wood and other organic materials burn. The particles can get into your eyes and respiratory tract and cause throat irritation and difficulty breathing.
Air quality could continue to deteriorate throughout Tuesday and gradually ease on Wednesday. Haze may occur throughout the northern half of Florida throughout the week.
According to Natural Resources Canada, the severity of fires in Canada this fall is well above average.
Accordingly, 45.7 million acres have burned this year alone Canadian interagency wildfire.
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