Wondering why it’s been so hazy in the Houston area this week? Here’s what to know.

If you live in or around Houston, you might have wondered why the air is so hazy this week – and whether it’s healthy to breathe.

The Bayou City is used to smothering humidity. But this morning’s dense air came from another source that could present health risks for certain populations. Check out the Landing’s guide to what is causing the Houston haze and how to keep you and your loved ones safe until air quality improves.

What is causing the haze over Houston?

Strong southeast winds out of the Gulf of Mexico are blowing smoke from agricultural fires burning south of the border.

Farmers in Central and South America prepare for the growing season by burning old crops. Throughout late spring and early summer, smoke from the fires drifts into the U.S. south and southeast, including the Houston area.

Recent windy conditions have made for an especially hazy week.

“The quantity of smoke being transported out of Central America into the South is just miserable,” Matt Lanza, a meteorologist with Houston’s Space City Weather , noted in a Thursday morning tweet .

How is the haze affecting air quality?

Haze from the fires is making air in the Houston area more harmful to breathe.

According to Airnow, a federal air quality tracking site , tiny pollutants called particulate matter from the Central and South American fires is filling the air around Houston and Harris County .

air quality in Houston

View an interactive map of the Houston region’s air quality

Airnow is currently warning that the levels of particulate matter have reached “unhealthy” levels in the Houston area. At the same time, ozone pollutants have also reached “moderate” levels in and around Houston as of Thursday afternoon.

How can I stay healthy during high air pollution periods in Houston?

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommends that children, teens, the elderly and people with heart or lung disease avoid or minimize outdoor activities of all kinds until the current round of polluted haze eases.