Code Red Air Quality Action Day Declared In Philly Region Due To Smoke

PHILADELPHIA — More smoke from Canadian wildfires is makings its way to the Philadelphia area, prompting officials to declare air quality action days for Wednesday and Thursday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued the declaration Wednesday morning, saying the concentration of fine particulate matter in the region is unhealthy.

This is due to wildfire smoke pushing further east overnight faster than models have been projecting.

Thus, officials have delacred a Code Red Air Quality Action Day in the Philadelphia area.

Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects, according to health officials.

Air quality conditions may rapidly deteriorate at times Wednesday, officials said.

Concentrations will rise during the afternoon, with the highest hourly concentrations expected to be late in the day as the smoke continues to move south and eastward.

Average concentrations for the day will be at levels in the higher end of Code Orange to low end of Code Red.

As for Thursday, officials are preparing for a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day, at least.

Dry conditions will continue Thursday. A warm front trying to lift north will turn the flow more southerly in the evening.

The continuation of northwesterly to westerly flow early in the day will allow for elevated fine particulate matter concentrations to linger into Thursday.

Air quality conditions are expected to begin improving late Friday into Saturday as more unsettled weather looks to return for the weekend, officials said.

The public is asked to limit their impact on the air quality by reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.