Quebec will be in the grip of smog over the next few days

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Smog warnings are in effect Sunday for parts of southern Quebec as smoke from wildfires in the province’s north continues to affect air quality.

Montreal, Laval, the Laurentians and Eastern Townships regions were among the areas under a smog warning from Environment Canada as of 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

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Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency (SOPFEU) says the fires burning in the James Bay region in addition to others raging elsewhere in Canada, are producing large plumes of smoke that can travel great distances.

SOPFEU indicates it is possible the effects of poor air quality could be felt in several regions of the province over the next few days.

There were 54 fires burning in Quebec as of Sunday afternoon.

Since the start of the fire season, more than 15,000 square kilometres have burned in the southern half of the province, known as the intensive zone, and more than 35,000 square kms have burned in the northern regions.