Where is it coming from?
Update 12:!6pm: Fire departments in the area have been inundated with calls about the smoke. They're asking residents to please only call in the case of an emergency.
Step outside and you will see it and smell it. A haze of smoke is lingering over the area Sunday. The cause is primarily due to two wildfires in the Catskills. The Times Union spoke to National Weather Service meteorologist Christina Speciale who said a change in the wind pattern is moving the smoke into our area:
(The smoke) is being ushered northward because of southerly winds in place, even though the wildfires are two hours away.
Red flag alerts have been issued several times over the past two weeks due to the extremely dry conditions much of the Hudson Valley and Capital Region have been experiencing.
Air quality is a concern. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for most of the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
The air quality index forecast for New York State currently has the Capital Region listed in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' level - meaning people with asthma or other respiratory issues could experience problems.
The smoke is expected to clear out after midnight as rain will move into the area Sunday evening, helping to provide some relief.
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