Code Red Air Quality Alert Across Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania DEP has issued a Code Red Air Quality Alert for Thursday (July 16) due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Residents should limit outdoor activities, especially children and the elderly. The alert warns of unhealthy air quality levels statewide.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a statewide Code Red Air Quality Alert for Thursday (July 16) due to smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota. The alert warns that fine particulate matter in the air could reach unhealthy levels for everyone, particularly affecting sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses.
According to the DEP, the smoke began entering Pennsylvania's northern counties on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to spread to the southern counties by Thursday. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and consider moving activities indoors.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a color-coded Air Quality Index to forecast air quality levels. A Code Red indicates pollution levels that are unhealthy for all individuals. The DEP encourages residents to help reduce air pollution by avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn equipment, reducing fireplace use, and refraining from burning leaves and trash.
WEATHER WARN DAY FOR AIR QUALITY:
[FROM CBS 21]
Canadian Wildfire smoke will dominate our skies into the weekend. This smoke creates Air Quality issues as smoke will become surface level, which could cause some air quality issues for more sensitive groups. The DEP has issued a RED ALERT for poor air quality. Because of the poor air quality Thursday is a CBS 21 Weather Warn Day. It will still be hot as highs climb well into the 90s through tomorrow.
SATURDAY STORMS:
A front will swing through on Saturday helping to clear the air and lower our temperatures, but it will also trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms. Once again, the threat will exist for heavy downpours and gusty winds, so plan accordingly for your outdoor plans on Saturday.
What people should watch out for
- Breathing difficulties such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, or chest discomfort. [cbsnews.com], [pa.gov]
- Increased risk for vulnerable groups, including:
- Children
- Older adults
- Pregnant individuals
- People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions [cbsnews.com], [pa.gov]
- Reduced visibility and smoky conditions, which can affect outdoor work, exercise, and travel. [pa.gov],
Recommended precautions
- Limit time outdoors, especially strenuous activities such as running, sports, yard work, or construction work. [pa.gov],
- Move activities indoors when possible. [pa.gov],
- Keep windows and doors closed and use air conditioning on recirculation mode if available.
- Use a well-fitting N95 mask if you must spend extended periods outside in smoky conditions.
- Monitor symptoms and seek medical attention if breathing problems, chest pain, or severe symptoms develop.
- Check local AQI conditions through AirNow or state alerts, as conditions can vary across Pennsylvania.