Police Get 'Smoke And A Burning Odor' Calls In North Jersey Due To Canadian Wildfires

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — New Jersey residents have been seeing smoke from distant wildfires, and as of Tuesday night and all day Wednesday, the air is unsafe to breathe.

Since the last week, the National Weather Service has been warning people in New Jersey and points north to stay inside if they have respiratory conditions, due to particulates in the air from Canadian wildfires. For Wednesday, officials say it's unsafe for anyone due to fine particles in the air.

The weather on Tuesday have made the conditions more visible, prompting calls to police.

“Thick smoke associated with Canadian wildfires is moving across Northeast Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey this hour," said the town of Millburn in an alert to residents on Tuesday around 6 p.m. "It will continue through the evening and into the overnight. The smoke will continue to move south overnight. Air quality alerts are in effect.”

In Hoboken, officials canceled outdoor recreation programs for Wednesday. Maplewood later did the same.

"Maybe the worst air quality New York City has seen in a long time," wrote Hoboken-based photographer Gary Hershorn on Twitter.

Essex County Police Desk Gets 'Multiple Reports'

Police in Fairfield, in Essex County, said late on Tuesday they have gotten worried calls from residents about "smoke and a burning odor."

They said that while this is due to the weather and the fires up north, people can still call if they think there is a fire.

In fact, wildfires also have been reported in the Jackson, N.J. area. READ MORE: Wildfire Closes I-195, Threatens Homes In Jackson

The Fairfield Police wrote in a. Nixle alert around 5 p.m.:

"The police desk has been receiving multiple reports of smoke and a burning odor all throughout town. This condition is caused by wildfires that are currently burning in Canada, this afternoon's weather has pushed the smoke towards the ground. Those with respiratory issues or sensitivity to poor air quality should remain indoors with their windows closed. In the event of a fire or if you see smoke and you are not sure of its origin please call 9-1-1."

Around 6:45 p.m., police in nearby West Caldwell sent out a similar alert:

"We are aware of the smoke conditions and burning odor in the area. The conditions are partially due to smoke drifting down the East Coast from the large Canadian wildfires. Please call 911 if you see a fire. Air quality conditions are expected to be poor in our area for the next couple of days due to the fires and dry weather. Please use caution when doing outside activities. Again, if you see a fire dial 911 immediately."

NWS Air Quality Warning

The National Weather Service said: "Tuesday, June 6th and Wednesday, June 7th. Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors. Levels of fine particulates will rise into unhealthy for sensitive groups category statewide today and Wednesday and likely last into the evening hours both days due to wildfire smoke transport from eastern Canadian wildfires."

See the NWS hazardous weather outlook and forecast here.

See a Patch story on the "weather triple threat" here.