Erie's usual blue Spring skies are looking a bit hazier lately, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drift across the Great Lakes region. 

The wildfires are causing Erie's Air Quality index, which measures the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere, to rise to higher-than-normal levels. 

"We're seeing the highest concentration of PM 2.5 particles, which is from wildfire smoke that has traveled here from Quebec," said A.J. Mastrangelo, a meteorologist at Erie News Now. "We've seen it from multiple different places, Nova Scotia, Western Canada and now Quebec. But it's actually the highest concentration we've seen [this year] so far."

Erie's current Air Quality Index is higher than New York and Los Angeles. 

Medical experts say while most people should be fine outdoors, it's best for the young, elderly, or those with respiratory conditions to avoid strenuous activity outside. 

"The most important [people who should be aware] would be those who already have some chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," said Dr. Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer with the American Lung Association.

"The other people at risk, however, also include small children. Because when they're outside, they tend to be more active, they breathe in more rapidly and can be affected by the particle pollution. And then there's certainly the elderly in general, and even pregnant women can be afflicted by this increased air pollution."

While no official air quality warning has been issued for Erie County, PA, in Chautauqua County, NY, an Air Quality Alert is in effect until midnight of June 5th.