Philadelphia Under Code Red Air Quality Alert As Wildfire Smoke Moves In

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is under a Code Red Air Quality Alert on Thursday as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the region and brings hazy skies, prompting city health officials to urge residents to limit time outdoors and take precautions against unhealthy air.

A Code Red Air Quality Alert for particulate matter means the air is unhealthy to breathe. While anyone may experience health effects, people in sensitive groups face a greater risk of serious complications.

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Officials noted that air quality may vary across the city throughout the day, depending on wind conditions.

"Today is not the day to start your marathon training plan," Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement.

"We are currently experiencing the effects of the wildfires burning in Canada," Raval-Nelson said. "If you don't need to be outside, try to limit your time out there. If you do go out, make sure to protect yourself: take frequent breaks, especially if you can get indoors, and consider wearing an N-95 or KN-95 mask."

Raval-Nelson said people with heart or lung conditions should take extra precautions and consider avoiding outdoor activities altogether. She also encouraged residents to check on neighbors and pets.

Separately, city health officials tested air quality in Southwest Philly on Wednesday after a large, smoky fire broke out nearby, at EMR's scrap metal recycling facility in Darby. But air quality returned to safe levels that evening, officials said.

The Health Department said it expects the smoke to begin moving out by Friday, although officials cautioned that the forecast could change. Residents are encouraged to monitor local news, city social media accounts and the ReadyPhiladelphia emergency notification system for updates.

Check Breathe Philly for updates on local air quality.