Canadian wildfire smoke causes haze over Tennessee Valley

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Wildfire smoke from Canada and surrounding areas has caused a haze to linger over the Tennessee Valley.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation posted air quality warning signs along I-24 and I-75 on Tuesday morning. The signs suggested that citizens limit travel due to air conditions.

The smoke may be impacting air quality and human health.

“I would say right now that it’s gonna be one of those situations to where it’s gonna be important to pay attention to the forecast on this,” Meteorologist Austen Onek said.  “Particularly if you have things like asthma, emphysema, lung ailments, things like that … we are still seeing some effects of that in the News 12 viewing area.”

The forecast indicates these conditions may clear up in the next couple of days.

More than 200 wildfires are currently burning across Canada.

In addition to the Canadian wildfires, there are some in the northern U.S.

The wildfire smoke has reached Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina.

Officials recommend using caution in these conditions.