Hazy, smoky conditions over Edmonton said to be from NWT wildfires

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EDMONTON — Air quality in Edmonton has been determined to pose a moderate health risk because of smoke from forest fires in the Northwest Territories.

Officials with Alberta Wildfire Management said winds were blowing smoke from the wildfires over parts of Alberta on Monday and hanging over the Edmonton region.

By afternoon, the air quality alert was issued by Alberta Environment.

People were being asked to take precautions against potential health concerns.

Officials said healthy individuals would not likely be affected but anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions were being advised to monitor their symptoms.

The conditions were expected to improve on Tuesday.

Crews in the Northwest Territories have dealt with a total of 142 wildfires so far in 2014.