East Hartford is advising residents that air quality conditions are currently deemed “unhealthy for all” due to very dense smoke from the recent Canadian wildfires.

“We encourage residents to take every precaution when conducting outdoor activities during this time of poor air quality, if possible avoid being outside and move all activities indoors” said Mayor Mike Walsh. Wednesday afternoon state Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security let town officials know air quality over Connecticut may drop to “very unhealthy” levels through early morning Thursday.

Accordingly, the town urged residents to reduce their risk of exposure to unhealthy air.

People with heart or lung disease especially, and those who are older as well as children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep those outdoor activities short, consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling. Everyone should choose less strenuous activities (like walking rather than running) so you don’t breathe as hard, and cut their time outdoors.

Despite the precautionary warnings, lawns continued to be mowed and trimmed, and construction work continued on area road projects in the haze. Some took to wearing masks, and smoke irritated eyes.

Air quality conditions were listed at 160 on a scale of 1-400 as measured by monitors at the Norris School parking area off Remington Road. Thursday morning the air quality is predicted to get worse before winds shift the smoke away.

Go to www.AirNow.gov and search the current air quality for your zip code, or download the AirNow app. If questions call the East Hartford Health Dept. , 860-291-7324.