Another round of smoke coming from Canadian wildfires has prompted the North Carolina’s Division of Air Quality to issue another code orange air quality action day for Tuesday.

The division says North Carolinians sensitive to air pollution should exercise caution this week as a plume of smoke from wildfires in Canada enters the state.

Code orange on the Air Quality Index represents unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups. Older adults, children of any age, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Smoke can carry elevated levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which consists of particles smaller than the width of a human hair. These particles can reach deep in the lungs and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions and have been linked to heart conditions.

The division is tentatively forecasting code yellow PM2.5 conditions for the entire state on Wednesday. 

DAQ meteorologists continue to monitor the available data and will refine the air quality forecasts for tomorrow and the rest of the week ahead of releasing each daily forecast.

State law prohibits the open burning of residential yard waste or land clearing debris on air quality action days of code orange or above.

Residents should continue to monitor air quality in their area throughout this week as conditions evolve. For the latest air quality information statewide, visit theAir Quality Portal online. DEQ’s website has a list of resources for keeping safe around wildfire smoke.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported today that by early July the province of Alberta, one of the hardest hit provinces, reported more than 800 wildfires.

More than 1.5 million hectares in Alberta alone have burned just halfway through the season, the CBC reported.