'Code Orange' Air Quality Alert in Effect for Bel Air

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a “code orange” air quality alert for the Baltimore metropolitan area Tuesday, including Bel Air.

During a “code orange” situation, pollution concentrations are such that the air may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children, older adults, asthmatics and those with heart and lung problems.

Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Howard and Anne Arundel counties are under the air quality alert on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

People can avoid the effects of air pollution by not exercising outside and abstaining from strenuous activity, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Temperatures will be in the upper 80s on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service forecast. The high is 89 in Bel Air, reaching 92 degrees on the heat index at 2 p.m.