Areas of Waterford City and County are experiencing significant fumes and smoke as a result of the fires on Slievenamon.

From early morning, residents reported a haze in areas of Tramore, Waterford City, Kilmeaden, and Portlaw.

Additionally, smoke fumes can be smelled across the region.

The Air Quality Index from this morning shows unhealthy levels of PM 2.5 at 63.4µg/m³ in the Merchant’s Quay area.

In the Paddy Browne’s road area, the air quality levels were also unhealthy with PM 2.5 levels at 59.7µg/m³.

Dungarvan and West Waterford levels are currently healthy, however the centre of the city is listed as official Unhealthy in terms of air quality.

Those with underlying health conditions are advised to keep windows closed, and to limit the time spent outdoors whilst air quality conditions remain at unhealthy levels.

A change in wind direction in the early hours of this morning has meant Waterford is downwind of the Slievenamon fires and fumes and smoke is likely to be experienced across the course of the day.