Smoky Air Draws Warning For Manchester Residents To Stay Inside

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester residents who have health issues are being urged to stay inside Tuesday as wind has carried smoke from the Wharton State Forest fire across much of the southern half of New Jersey.

The Manchester Division of Emergency Services posted a notice on its Facebook page noting the smoke from the fire that started on Sunday. Read more: NJ Forest Fire Burns 12K Acres, Prompts Highway Closures

"The smell of smoke in the air is from the Wharton state forest. The fire has burned over 12,000 acres so far. If you have respiratory issues it is recommended to stay inside," the post said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined other than authorities saying it was not from natural causes.

The smoke has led to a "moderate" air quality report for the area, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's air quality monitoring program.

Moderate means the air quality is acceptable but it could pose a health concern for a very few people, including those who are unusually sensitive to ozone or particle pollution may experience respiratory symptoms, according to AirNow.gov.