Air Quality Alert, Fire Danger For Virginia On Friday

VIRGINIA — A "code orange" air quality alert is in effect Friday for parts of the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued the alert. Code orange levels mean pollution concentrations in the air are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, heart/lung disease sufferers and asthmatics are considered sensitive.

Areas under the alert include Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures may hit 87 degrees in the region Friday, according to the National Weather Service. On Saturday, showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. will knock temps down to the upper 70s.

On unhealthy air days, authorities suggest these health precautions:

• Children and older adults should reduce outdoor activities.
• Healthy individuals should limit strenuous work or exercise, especially outdoors.
• Individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should limit their activity level. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG's website or by downloading a free air quality app from Clean Air Partners.

Fire Risk

Elevated fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon into early evening across western, north-central and southern Maryland including the DC metro, northern and central Virginia, and eastern West Virginia. "Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged," the National Weather Service said.

South to southwest winds this afternoon will gust up to 25 mph, with minimum relative humidity values between 15 and 25 percent, the National Weather Service said.

Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling open flames or equipment that creates sparks. Also, dispose of cigarette buds, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate
containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey local burn bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly.