Air quality statements in effect for smoky, northeastern parts of Ontario

A wildfire burns in a forest near the town of Cochrane, Ont., in a June 6, 2023 handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO-Department of Natural Resources and Forestry)

Smoke from wildfires continues to blanket northern and eastern parts of Ontario today, with Environment Canada warning of very high levels of sky pollution can affect vulnerable people if they are not careful.

The weather bureau has a special one sky quality statements in effect for the Sudbury, Elliot Lake and Prescott areas due to plumes of smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec and it is said conditions will not improve for some parts until Tuesday evening or Wednesday.

Environment Canada says wildfires in Quebec also have very high levels of sky pollution in Ottawa, but conditions are expected to improve on Monday.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center says there are 462 active fires nationwide, about 237 of which are out of control and nearly a quarter of those fires are in Quebec.

Environment Canada says in her sky quality statement that people with lung disease, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outside the home are at greater risk of health effects caused by smoke.

It advises locals to stay indoors with closed windows, use a sky air purifier if possible and check loved ones.