Wildfire Smoke Fills MD Air: Code Red Alert Issued

MARYLAND — A smoky haze from wildfires in Canada has covered much of Maryland Wednesday, prompting alerts for poor air quality. Conditions are expected to worsen on Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

The smoke has the entire state was under an air quality advisory and is in concentrations dangerous to people with respiratory diseases.

"Very poor air quality today along with reduced visibility between 3-6 SM. It is recommended to limit time outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation for those suffering from respiratory illnesses. More smoke expected Thursday & Friday," the National Weather Service said Wednesday morning.

Clean Air Partners — which issues air quality forecasts for the Washington-Baltimore region — has Code Red air conditions for Baltimore, Annapolis and northern Maryland on Wednesday and Code Orange conditions for Washington, D.C., along with Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's counties.

When air quality is labeled code orange it is unhealthy for sensitive groups and means people with respiratory or heart ailments, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. An air quality alert means that fine particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

Fires over Quebec continue to produce prodigious smoke, which is being continuously funneled on northerly flow toward the Mid-Atlantic, the MDE said. A concentrated plume of smoke is working south through Pennsylvania and New York toward the eastern half of Maryland. This dense smoke will arrive Wednesday evening, raising fine particle concentrations notably. Nightly inversions will help to keep fine particles elevated through the night Tuesday into Wednesday. More smoke plumes from the fires in Quebec will push toward Maryland Wednesday evening.

A front on Friday will bring some reprieve to fine particle concentrations, but due to continued light northerly winds, unhealthy aire due to fine particles remains a possibility.

Tips For Coping With Poor Air Quality

On unhealthy air days, authorities suggest these health precautions:

• Children and older adults should reduce outdoor activities.
• Healthy individuals should limit strenuous work or exercise, especially outdoors.
• Individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should limit their activity level. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.

To help reduce airepollution:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
• Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
• Use mass transit, carpool, or work from home to limit driving. Fill up your gas tank during evening hours.

Here's the latest Maryland weather forecast:

Wednesday: Widespread haze. Patchy smoke. Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: Widespread haze. Patchy smoke. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north after midnight.

Thursday: Widespread haze. Patchy smoke. Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the Maryland Department of the Environment.