Breathing Wildfire Smoke In PA Is Like Smoking 9 Cigarettes: Officials

The swirl of wildfire smoke with high heat and humidity has created horrific air quality conditions in southeastern Pennsylvania Friday, and officials have a tobacco comparison to underline just how unhealthy it is.

When the air quality index (AQI) is at 20, it's equal to smoking about one cigarette, CHOP anesthesiologist Jonathan M. Tan told Accuweather.

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The AQI Friday in the Philadelphia region is 178, the equivalent of smoking about nine cigarettes.

Related: Tornadoes, Flooding, 'Significant Event' Possible In Philly Area Saturday: Forecasters

“Cigarette smoking is something most people already understand in a tangible way," Tan told Accuweather. "We know roughly what a pack a day does to a person’s health. That familiarity gives us a useful, if imperfect, yardstick for talking about air quality."

While the worst consequences of cigarettes are from chronic, Tan says that repeat wildfire seasons around the country could have similar effects.

"Back-to-back fire seasons are starting to blur that line for people who live in wildfire-prone regions," Tan added.

The eerie gray and orange skies should be viewed from indoors, if at all possible. Strenuous activities outdoors should be avoided.

The smoke is coming from a series of active fires in central Ontario and has spurred evacuations throughout Canada and the northern United States.

The air quality is likely to improve this weekend with severe storms forecasted. The inclement weather will bring in cooler air that will reduce the heat index and start to clear out the smoke early Saturday.