The agency’s forecast through Friday shows air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups, which include children and older people, those with asthma and other lung diseases, and people active outdoors for more than six hours a day. Air-quality readings began to decline in the region Tuesday, the day after the fire began about 60 miles west of Fort Worth, and are expected to be in a moderate range, according to the weather service.
A Dallas Morning News journalist smelled smoke from the fires near Fort Worth and reported a smoky haze Wednesday morning clouding Weatherford.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommends staying indoors and running an air conditioner to help improve air quality. Masks suitable for protection from the COVID-19 virus can also help while outdoors, according to the commission.
Other places to seek well-filtered air include libraries, indoor malls and cooling centers, according to the weather service. The agency also recommends leaving lights on at home during an evacuation to help keep the structure visible through smoke.
Staff photographer Elias Valverde II contributed to this report.