Have you been smelling smoke outside but don’t see a fire?
Nova Scotia wildfire smoke made its way to Massachusetts on Tuesday, as those with a sensitive nose were able to smell the smoke as it pushed through the region. The smoke plume from Canada also impacted visibility in spots across southern New England.
An “Air Quality Alert” was issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection with the wildfire smoke overspreading the Bay State.
“Fine particle levels will elevate at times into the Moderate and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range as wildfire smoke influences our region,” the advisory stated. “An Air Quality Alert for elevated fine particle levels has been posted for areas of Mass through midnight tonight.”
After the worst of the smoke moved through the state on Tuesday, less concentrated and less potent smoke is expected to stick around on Wednesday.
“It should still haze up the skies, but it won’t be as thick,” said Kristie Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office.
“We’ll still be stuck with some smoke until we can get winds from the west to scour the smoke out,” Smith added.
Satellite imagery showed the plume of smoke moving into eastern Massachusetts midday Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
“Nova Scotia smoke has made its way to the surface, we can actually smell it here at the office!” tweeted the National Weather Service’s Boston office, which is based in Norton.
Wildfires in Canada’s Atlantic coast province of Nova Scotia have caused thousands to evacuate.
The Halifax Regional Municipality said late Monday that about 200 homes or structures have been damaged, based on initial visual inspections by first responders.
An estimated 14,000 people were told to flee their homes, most of which are about a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown Halifax.
Fire officials said the out-of-control fire, which started Sunday in nearby Upper Tantallon, has destroyed or damaged dozens of homes, though there hadn’t been any reports of deaths or injuries.
Herald wire services were used in this report.