South Florida residents woke up to gray skies due to unusual haze from smoke generated by wildfires in Canada, which has worsened air quality in that region.

Reduced air quality in South Florida is attributed to smoke from Canadian wildfires spreading south through the atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service in Miami (NWS).

Satellite images shared by NWS Miami showed clouds of smoke moving across much of the southeastern United States.

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UPDATE: Latest observations indicate unhealthy air quality (especially for sensitive groups) – particularly in the central and northern portions of South Florida.

Credit – @AIRNow pic.twitter.com/yJv9WzAsP2

– NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) October 3, 2023

Broward’s air quality on Tuesday was rated “unhealthy,” meaning sensitive groups could experience immediate health effects, according to the U.S. government’s online platform AirNow, an air quality data site. air used by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Air quality in Miami was rated “moderate”, but in other areas further north, such as Miami Gardes or North Miami, the result was “unhealthy for sensitive groups”.

Wildfires have raged in parts of Canada all summer, in what is considered the worst wildfire season on record. They blanketed parts of the United States with smoke, causing asthma complications and respiratory illnesses in the worst-affected areas.

Health officials recommend that people take the following precautions to protect themselves from poor air quality:

-Limit outdoor activities as much as possible, especially for people with heart or respiratory problems, the elderly and children.

-Keep windows closed and minimize the use of window air conditioning to avoid introducing poor quality air indoors.

-Use a high quality KN95 mask if you have to go outside and you are a sensitive person.

EFFECTS OF POOR AIR QUALITY

Health effects from wildfire smoke are widespread, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They can range from eye and respiratory irritation to more serious conditions, including reduced lung function. Exposure can also exacerbate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure, leading to premature death, according to the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC notes that breathing smoke can immediately affect people and cause: coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, irritated or itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headache, fatigue , chest pain, rapid heartbeat.

Children, pregnant women and the elderly are most vulnerable to smoke exposure. First responders are also at higher risk, according to the CDC.