The smoky haze that has blanketed the skies over New York City since Saturday is lifting.

Changing wind conditions are blowing the smoke coming from forest fires in Canada away from the area. Visibility is expected to return to normal Monday, after being down to just two miles at local airports Sunday.

However, forecasters are worried that the smoke could return late on Tuesday as winds from the north return.

The Health Department is warning city residents with respiratory and heart conditions to stay inside with an air conditioner on until the smoke has cleared.

The dry summer weather has pushed the fire hazard very high in Ontario and Quebec. As many as 85 wildfires in northern Quebec have destroyed more than 250,000 acres of forest. The smoke from the blazes has reached as far south as Virginia.

Ten of the fires are still out of control and growing. Rain is not in the forecast for the area until Thursday.