Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
WAKEFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued a statewide Air Quality Alert for all of Massachusetts until the end of the day on Monday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires travels south.
The alert means particles may reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Older adults and residents with asthma, heart disease or lung disease should avoid prolonged outdoor activity, according to AccuWeather Forecast.
Those in Wakefield seemed to notice the hazy skies Monday morning.
“Driving out, I definitely noticed the red haze covering the sun … This is unusual,” said Phillip, a local resident.
Some residents also considered taking precautions.
“Maybe I should wear a mask on days like this … Maybe I should be more conscious of it,” said Michael, a Wakefield resident.
This isn’t the first time that smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted into Massachusetts this summer.
Canada is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with nearly 4,000 wildfires recorded so far in 2025, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. As of Monday morning, there were over 700 active wildfires.
WBZ’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.