BEIJING -- Beijing and its neighboring regions will see heavy smog on Friday and Saturday, the Ministry of Environmental Protection forecast on Wednesday.
It said in a statement that the north of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will experience "fine and light air pollution" for the next three days, while central and southern parts will see "light to heavy pollution".
Air pollution in some cities might worsen to the "grave" level due to smoke from fireworks set off as a tradition for the Lantern Festival, which falls on March 5 this year, it said, recommending the public limit setting off fireworks.
Local governments have been told to closely monitor air quality and take measures including traffic bans in the case of heavy pollution.