Canadian Wildfires Spark Air Quality Warning In Philly Region

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has returned to the greater Philadelphia area Tuesday, bringing hazy orange skies and causing significant impacts to the air quality in the region, environmental officials said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for all of eastern and central Pennsylvania.

The range of PM2.5, or fine inhalable particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less, falls within the agency's middle "orange" level.

"Light southeasterly winds will allow for limited pollutant dispersion," the DEP said in a statement. "Sensitive groups of the population including children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions should avoid heavy outdoor activity during this time."

The haze is expected to continue through Thursday, FOX29 reported. On Friday, sunny conditions are predicted.

You can check the current air quality in your specific area by visiting AirNow.gov.

The DEP urges businesses and residents to improve local air quality by avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and air equipment, not burning leaves and trash, and reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use.

The orange indication is for an air quality index of 101 to 151, on a scale where good is considered "green" and between 0 and 50 on the index, yellow is "moderate" and between 51 and 100, and orange is "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Orange is the fist category to trigger a warning. There are three more severe levels: red is an AQI of 151 to 200 and is "unhealthy" for all, purple is 201 to 300 and is "very unhealthy," and maroon is 301 and above and is considered "hazardous."

Temperatures will be reasonably mild on Tuesday, with high temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 80s, according to forecasters.

Here's the forecast for the coming week, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night
Cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 85.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63.