New York City had a weekend of mostly blue skies marred by acrid smoke and air-quality advisories after a series of brush fires, fueled by extremely dry conditions, erupted around the region. People sensitive to pollution were advised that the air quality through Sunday could be at unhealthy levels because of smoke and particulate matter.

Throughout the metro area any outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, according to the National Weather Service, and much of southwest Connecticut is on “red flag warning,” meaning that dry, fire-ready conditions along with high winds mean brush and wildfires can spark easily and grow quickly.

An air quality alert has been issued for New York City, the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey through 12 a.m. Monday due to smoke from wildfires in the area.