Canadian wildfire smoke pours into New Jersey. Is the air quality safe?

If you think the world has looked hazy the past couple of days, you don’t need to schedule an eye exam.

Smoke is in the air thanks to the Canadian wildfires. The smoke has continued to filter into parts of the United States, and New Jersey is one of the states impacted. It also can be seen in the sky over parts of Pennsylvania and New York.

Is the air quality in New Jersey safe?

But should you take precautions due to the air?

It’s not unusual for the wildfires to bring smoky air that could cause issues for those in sensitive groups, including those with asthma, the young and the elderly. And today, you should take precaution, but the alert isn’t elevated as it has been during other wildfires in Canada.

The Jersey Shore is under a moderate risk for air quality. The Enviromental Protection Agency recommends “if you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

“Mostly cloudy skies and onshore flow are forecast for Wednesday as high pressure continues to build to our north. As a result, ozone levels will improve, but remain in the moderate category in northern New Jersey. Fine particle levels are anticipated to remain in the upper moderate category as Canadian wildfire smoke lingers throughout the region.”

Even better news, it doesn’t look like the air quality is going to get any worse.

“Onshore flow will continue on Thursday as high pressure remains centered to our north,” the EPA said. “Below average temperatures and decreasing cloud cover are forecast, keeping ozone in the low moderate category in northern New Jersey. Fine particulate concentrations will improve but remain in the moderate category statewide as diffuse Canadian wildfire smoke remains over the state.”

New York City air quality

New York City is in the same category the Jersey Shore is. The air quality poses a moderate risk.

Philadelphia air quality

Philadelphia, like New York and the Jersey Shore, is dealing with smog, but only a moderate risk is forecasted.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Current air quality map: New Jersey air quality poses ‘moderate’ risk