The National Weather Service has issued an “air quality alert” for Western Washington as smoke from wildfires in Eastern Washington and Montana continues to blanket the Puget Sound region.

The alert, which includes Kitsap County, will remain in place through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Officials with the National Weather Service warn that air quality will become unhealthy for sensitive groups through Wednesday morning, with

locations between 1,000 to 1,500 feet in elevation likely to experience the lowest air quality conditions.

The elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects. Officials said these groups should limit or avoid time outdoors.

Officials said conditions are expected to begin improving Tuesday evening along the coast, and the interior on Wednesday, as marine air pushes inland and southerly flow aloft pushes the smoke out of the area.

For information on the smoke affecting Washington state, visit the Washington Smoke Blog at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com.