Wildfire smoke arrives in Rochester: Wildfire map and air quality in your area

The hazy skies over Rochester to start the week are the result of Canadian wildfires hundreds of miles away. While the source of the smoke might be far away, the air quality impacts hit close to home.

The air quality in the Rochester area was barely into the moderate category on the morning of July 22, with an AQI of 56 at monitoring stations in Rochester and Webster. At that level, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing outdoor activity and going inside if they experience symptoms.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo noted the "hazy, milky looking sky" on Sunday afternoon, attributed to wildfire smoke from the west. While the elevated wildfire smoke wasn't expected to affect air quality, it did enhance the colors in the sunset for those who caught it.

Low density smoke from the wildfires in Canada and the western United States covered Western and Central New York on Monday, with the smoke plume covering much of the East Coast from Massachusetts to Georgia.

You can track the latest wildfires and red flag warnings in the United States using a new dynamic map and informational page created by USA TODAY. In addition to the map, there is a list of reported wildfires, smoke description and access to other useful links.

Wildfire smoke map

More: Mapping smoke from Canada: As wildfires burn, check the air quality in your area

How toxic wildfire smoke affects your health

Breathing the toxic smoke can cause a series of problems , from minor irritations to serious concerns, including cardiovascular- and respiratory-related problems.

According to Yale Medicine, the PM 2.5 particles are so small they can pass the usual defense mechanisms of the upper airway and penetrate deep into the lungs where they can impair function. The particles can also pass into the bloodstream and travel to other organs. Exposure has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and a decline in cognitive function.

More: How bad is breathing in wildfire smoke? Graphics show how toxic air affects your health

6 tips to avoid wildfire smoke and protect yourself from smoke particles

— Karina Zaiets, Ramon Padilla, Cecilia Garzella and Yoonserk Pyun contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wildfire smoke arrives in Rochester: Wildfire map and air quality in your area