Pennsbury Taking Precautions With Poor Air Quality

FALLSINGTON, PA —With the Philadelphia region under a "Code Red" from the Canadian wildfires Thursday, Pennsbury School District officials are keeping a watchful eye in hopes that the forecast will soon improve.

School officials continue to limit outdoor activities in the wake of the poor air quality, but decided to stay the course and keep its schools open Thursday even though neighboring school districts went virtual at some of their schools.

Schools Superintendent Thomas A. Smith said the district took measures overnight Wednesday to close outdoor air ventilation dampers in HVAC units so that outside air did not enter the buildings overnight.

"The air in our buildings will continue to be filtered and circulated throughout the day (Thursday)," Smith said. "Thank you for your patience during an interesting few days."

As of Thursday afternoon, the air quality index in Fallsington was deemed unhealthy by AirNow.gov with the forecast Friday calling for air conditions to be unhealthy for sensitive people.

The Philadelphia region was under a Code Red Air Quality Action Day declaration after being elevated from Code Orange.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada are still the driving factor for the poor air quality.

Officials said a dense plume of smoke settled onto the Philadelphia region late Wednesday, and thankfully models do not predict another such plume for Thursday.

A low-pressure system is shifting winds from east to west in eastern Canada, changing the smoke plume's orientation.

The smoke is expected to disperse Saturday into Sunday, with particulate matter levels declining, the state Department of Environmental Protection said.