Code Red Air Quality Alert Issued In Eastern Montco

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality alert for Thursday.

Wildfire smoke from Canada began pushing into southern and eastern counties on Wednesday, creating Code Red concentrations of PM2.5, state officials said.

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Unhealthy Code Red concentrations of PM2.5 will occur throughout the day on Thursday, with some hours of very unhealthy Code Purple concentrations possible, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Light winds associated with weak high pressure moving in from the north will act to trap pollutants near the surface keeping air quality in an unhealthy range, the DEP says.

Additionally, a statewide Code Orange alert for PM2.5 is forecast for Friday.

During Code Red Air Quality Alerts, residents should consider limiting their outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving activities indoors.