As Canada grapples with one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, smoke from the blazes have prompted air quality alerts across the U.S.

Air quality has taken a serious hit across the United States as a two-fold blow of wildfires in the West and in Canada have sent smoke pouring across large sections of the country — a problem that’s set to linger for days.

Breathing in polluted air for extended periods of time can pose a serious health risk for people, especially for vulnerable populations.

Eyewitness video on Tuesday (August 5) showed smoke rising over the French coastline as a wildfire rages in the Aude region, near the Spanish border. Reuters was able to independently verify the location with the outline of the mountains,

One person has died and another is missing after a massive wildfire swept through parts of southern France, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region,