Smog alert issued for vast areas in province

Environment Canada said a smog alert it issued for southern Quebec late Sunday is expected to continue through Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday morning.

The areas affected run from Montreal through to Quebec City and also include the Eastern Townships, the Beauce region and Montmagny, northeast of Quebec City.

The federal agency says the alert can probably be blamed on the increased use of wood-burning stoves because of colder temperatures as well as cars and industrial activity.

Spokesperson Bruno Marquis said there is not much air circulation and winds are calm, leaving pollutants close to the ground.