For 4th day in a row, Rhode Island still under Air Quality Alert because of Canadian wildfires

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — For the fourth day in a row, Rhode Island is still under an Air Quality Alert because of the Canadian wildfires.

The Department of Environmental Management said the wildfires in Quebec continue to make its way to the Ocean State.

In other part of the U.S., like New York where skies turned orange Wednesday, visibility plummeted and the Air Quality Index rose to nearly 500.

As the Air Quality Alert remains in effect, the Department of Health advises that residents who may be sensitive to these particles to stay indoors with windows closed. Anyone outside should wear an N95 mask to reduce exposure and limit the amount of time spent outdoors.

Darren Austin, who’s with the DEM, said breathing in these particles can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It cause cause coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

For more information about DEM’s air quality forecast, visit dem.ri.gov. For the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current air quality readings in your area, visit fire.airnow.gov.