Canton, Stark County under Air Quality Advisory as smoke from wildfires blows through

Stark County is under an Air Quality Advisory as northerly winds are carrying wildfire smoke from Canada across the region.

Fires in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia prompted air quality warnings over the weekend in the U.S., with a forest fire in New Jersey adding to the air quality issues. The fires in New Jersey have since been completely contained.

More than 3 million acres have burned in 1,981 fires in Canada so far this year. While one fire has been brought under control, a second fire continues to burn as of Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

James M. Adams, Canton City health commissioner, issued the advisory due to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter. These elevated levels are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. People with respiratory disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors are the groups most at risk and should consider limiting prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, the haze is expected to last into tonight, but will clear off after midnight.

What is the weather forecast for later this week?

Wednesday is forecast to be sunny, with a high near 72 and north winds blowing from 6 to 13 mph, according to the weather service. Wednesday night will be clear, with a low of 47.

Thursday is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 71 and a northwest wind of 7 to 14 mph. That night will be partly cloudy, with a low of 48.

On Friday, skies will be sunny, with a high of 75. Friday night is forecast to be partly cloudy, with a low of 53.