Wildfire smoke from Canada again impacts Massachusetts, sparks ‘air quality alert’

That pesky smoke from the raging Canadian wildfires is yet again impacting the region, sparking an “air quality alert” for parts of the Bay State.

The smoke from the out-of-control wildfires in Canada has wreaked havoc on the U.S. for several weeks now, since the beginning of June. Depending on how the wind blows, the smoke and hazy skies will likely come back to the region at various points over the next few months.

One of those unfortunate times is this week, as the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on Monday issued an air quality alert for five counties in central and western Massachusetts.

Those counties under the air quality alert for elevated fine particle pollution (PM2.5) on Monday were: Worcester, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.

“Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the state Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement. “Sensitive groups include people 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 air pollution.

“MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy,” MassDEP added. “Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.”