ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Residents of western and central New Mexico are being warned that air quality is being diminished by large amounts of smoke from wildfires in Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

An air quality alert issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service said the reduced air quality likely would continue through the day and redevelop overnight into Thursday morning.

Cities in the alert area include Albuquerque and Gallup.

People who should stay indoors include those with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease as well as people over age 65, young children and pregnant women, the advisory said.

It also said the reduced air quality means that people infected with COVID-19 could have more severe reactions.

The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program issued a similar health alert for Wednesday and much of Thursday.