Code Red Air Quality Alert Declared For All Of PA Due To Wildfires

PENNSYLVANIA — Wildfires in Canada continue to wreak havoc on the air in the region, hitting Pennsylvania particularly hard on Wednesday and leading officials to declare a code red air quality alert.

The smoke is just the latest impact of the fires, which have been exacerbated by inconsistent precipitation, drought, and other climate change impacts.

"A code red means air pollution concentrations are unhealthy for general population," the National Weather Service said.

The smoke hitting the state Wednesday was the same front that hammered the midwest Tuesday and led authorities to label Chicago's air as "the worst in the world" based on several measurements.

Originally the declaration was only in place in Wednesday in the western half of Pennsylvania, but conditions degraded significantly overnight as the storm front, which hammered the region with flood conditions the past two days, moved out.

Air quality is expected to remain very poor on Thursday and Friday, but could possibly improve by Saturday. Morning will be the worst time, as atmospheric conditions will keep smoke closer to the surface.

Hundreds of different chemicals comprise this matter, the National Weather Service said, and can include emissions from construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Often it is chemicals like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides colliding.

Young children, the elderly, and those with any respiratory issues should avoid outdoor activities. Others should reduce heavy or prolonged exertion. Residents are urged to help limit overall air pollution by avoiding use of any gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment, and ceasing the burning of leaves and trash.

Officials said "fine particulate matter" would be in the code red range statewide Wednesday, an air quality index of 151 to 200, but could be even worse in certain areas. In the next worst range, 201 to 300, sensitive groups are urged to avoid all outdoor exposure. In the most unhealthy range, 301 to 350, all groups should avoid outdoor exposure.

Residents can reference www.airnow.gov to monitor local conditions throughout the day.