North Alabama air quality worsens amid Canadian wildfire smoke [Video]

The haze stems from a combination of dust particles and smoke from Canadian wildfires, according to FOX54 Weather Impact Meteorologist Emily Owen.

“Air quality is based on a number of things, with dust particles being one of them,” Owen said. “Obviously pollution — you have exhaust from the car. So that’s also a big thing. Humidity actually plays a factor into it as well. But the dust particles specifically mixed with the smoke from the Canadian wildfires is why our air quality is at a medium right now.”

Local allergist Dr. Joseph Forester said his practice has seen an uptick in patients experiencing respiratory symptoms since air quality declined.

“We are seeing an increase in lower respiratory symptoms, and especially in people who have asthma or other underlying respiratory problems like COPD,” Forester said. “But also, you know, …