Canadian wildfires will again cause unhealthy air quality Saturday

Region — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said outdoor air quality across the state will again reach unhealthy levels on Saturday due to the Canadian wildfires. The agency recommends that everyone limit their time outdoors, specifically in the afternoon or evening, and move workouts and activities indoors. State health officials say young children, the elderly and anyone with pre-existing health concerns such as asthma, heart or lung programs should take extra precautions and watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. "Air quality alerts that stretch across multiple days are different from a single bad afternoon," Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said in the release."Repeated exposure adds up, particularly for sensitive groups, which is why we're asking residents to stay vigilant through the weekend." There are more than 830 fires burning across Canada, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System. The poor air quality Saturday is due to a high-pressure system moving offshore and will recirculate wildfire smoke from southern Ontario over Connecticut. To reduce exposure, officials say to be aware of the air quality index, keep windows and doors closed when possible, run air conditioning on recirculate, use a HEPA air purifier, and avoid adding indoor pollution such as burning candles, smoking and vacuuming without HEPA filters.