Smoke creates hazardous air quality in NJ. See hourly reports on how bad it is

New Jersey is being inundated with smoke from Canadian wildfires, darkening the skies and creating some of the worst air pollution in recent memory.

Air monitors from the federal government show much of New Jersey's air has reached unhealthy levels of particulate matter due to smoke. Such levels can cause respiratory and other health issues with prolonged exposure.

Better air coming? When is the air quality going to get better? New Jersey air quality suffers after wildfire

Gov. Phil Murphy urged residents with heart and lung conditions to stay inside Wednesday and avoid strenuous activity.

The charts below show hourly measures of air quality in different locations in New Jersey using data from AirNow.gov. The charts were last updated at 5 p.m. on June 8.

Air quality in Howell NJ

Air quality in Wyckoff NJ

Air quality in Hainesport NJ

Want more data?

The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection operates a live, updating interactive map of air quality, and smoke data.

What is the air quality index?

The Air Quality Index is what the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection uses as a measure for air quality. It is a score that runs from 0 to 500 — the higher the number the worse the air quality — which is a representation of the number of pollutants in the lower atmosphere.

Here is how to read the categories for the AQI index:

• Good: 0 to 50. Air quality is satisfactory and pollutants pose no risk

• Moderate: 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 101 to 150  Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.

• Unhealthy: 151 to 200. Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

• Very Unhealthy: 201 to 300. Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.

• Hazardous: 301 and higher. Health warning of emergency conditions; everyone is more likely to be affected.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ air quality: Hourly reports as smoke inundates the state