Smog advisory issued for Ottawa

Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment have issued a smog advisory for Ottawa.

Smoke from a series of forest fires in Quebec is responsible for the elevated air pollution.

According to Air Quality Ontario, a rating between 50 and 99 on the Air Quality Index is considered “poor.” Downtown Ottawa, as of this morning, has a rating of 52, with central Ottawa rated 59.

Air Quality Ontario recommends that “people with respiratory disease should limit prolonged exertion.” At this level, the general population is “at some risk.”

The pollution is expected to disperse by Wednesday.