As of 6am on Tuesday, Wagga's Air Quality Index rating was 267 with anything at or above 200 being classified as hazardous.

In areas with hazardous air quality, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recommends that "everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease, avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible".

Bureau of Meteorology technical officer Nigel Smedley, who is based at Wagga Airport's weather monitoring station, said the city's visibility was down to 4000 metres on Monday but had improved to 21,000 metres on Tuesday.

"We had a lot of north easterly winds (on Monday) up until midday which pulled a lot of smoke from the fires to the north east of us over our region," he said.

"Visibility got a slow as 4000 metres before improving to 9000 metres in the afternoon."

Mr Smedley said similar levels of low visibility could hit Wagga again if the city experienced more north easterly winds later in the week.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Helen Reid said changing winds could bring improvement to Wagga's air quality over the next few days but it could worsen due to new fires in Victoria.

"We do have a south-westerly change coming through and that may bring just a bit of smokiness from the fires that a burning in Victoria, but I would expect a general improvement in conditions," she said.

"We are expecting more of an easterly, and that could bring more of the smoke from the fires that are down on the South Coast of NSW.

"Wednesday will be better but by the time you get to Thursday and Friday, you would be looking at it getting a bit smoky again as those winds possibly bring in some smoke from the South Coast."

Murrumbidgee Local Health District issued a 'smoke health alert' on Monday when Wagga's air quality was rated as 'very poor'.

The health alert stated that for most people, smoke causes mild symptoms like sore eyes, nose and throat.

However, people with conditions like asthma, emphysema and angina are at greater risk because the smoke can trigger their symptoms.

Public Health Unit director Tracey Oakman said people should be vigilant about their health, with smoke from many fires blanketing the region.

"If possible, stay in air-conditioned premises where filtration systems can help to reduce dust particles in the air, and avoid outdoor physical activity," Mrs Oakman said.

"If you are on home oxygen treatment, continue as prescribed and if breathlessness worsens, contact your GP."

People with asthma should carry their reliever medication with them at all times.

"If you have asthma or a lung condition and develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, follow your Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Action Plan," Mrs Oakman said.

If the symptoms do not settle, please see your GP. In case of emergency, go to your nearest Hospital Emergency Department, or call 000.