A thick layer of smog descended on parts of the province Tuesday as raging wildfires continue to burn in northwestern Quebec.
Environment Canada issued smog warnings and air quality statements for many regions. In Montreal, haze and the smell of smoke was noticeable in the downtown core in the morning. “High concentrations of fine particulate matter due to forest fires in Quebec will result in poor air quality in many areas today and tonight,” the weather agency said Tuesday. “Smog especially affects asthmatic children and people with respiratory ailments or heart disease.
It is therefore recommended that these individuals avoid intense physical activity outdoors until the smog warning is lifted.” SOPFEU, the province’s fire prevention agency, reported 152 active forest fires — a slight dip from the previous day.
Of those blazes, 113 are out of control. Premier François Legault has said the province is in a “difficult situation” and the wildfires forced more than 10,000 people to leave their homes.