BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Smoke from an estimated 120 wildfires burning in Alaska is headed our way affecting local air quality.

In a blog post Tuesday, UW atmospheric sciences professor Cliff Mass says Alaska is going through a late spring-early summer heat wave and smoke from their wildfires has been swept southward, reaching B.C. and now Washington.

He says the smoke has remained aloft and air quality at the surface has still remained excellent around the region.

Whatcom County’s air quality is currently rated “Moderate” in the Custer area and Bellingham, while Maple Falls is “Unhealthy for sensitive groups.”