Due to the many wildfires across the First Coast, smoke is becoming more prevalent and reducing air quality.
Smoke can even be smelled in Jacksonville, which has thus far been spared a major wildfire during the drought.
Some locations, such as Brunswick, Waycross, Folkston, Fernandina, Lake City and Palatka have had air quality values of “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse.
“Sensitive groups” include people with asthma, heart diseases, lung diseases, older adults, children and teenagers.
Smoke will remain a concern for the next several days, especially in the mornings as calmer conditions settle the smoke near the surface.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows Jacksonville’s April 22 air quality as unhealthy on its index.
Be cautious of reduced visibility and poor air quality during the morning commutes. Keep windows up and air recirculating in your car.
In the afternoons, winds help disperse the smoke a bit, but the calmer the conditions, the worse the air quality. The Atlantic sea breeze will also push smoke inland later in the day.
(This story has been updated with a gallery.)
This story was first reported by Times-Union news partner First Coast News.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Wildfires smoke is even evident in Jacksonville; what to know
Reporting by Lee Southwick, First Coast News / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
