When Will The Smoke Clear In NoVA, DC? Code Red Alert

WASHINGTON, DC — The District and much of Northern Virginia is under a Code Red alert for unhealthy air quality Wednesday as smoke from wildfires in Canada has blanketed the region. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous on Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Poor air quality will continue through Friday, along with reduced visibility due to the wildfire smoke, the agency said.

Communities under the Code Red alert include: Washington, D.C., Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Dale City, Woodbridge, and Lake Ridge.

The amount of smoke in the air makes it dangerous for people with respiratory diseases to be outdoors, officials said.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should take these precautions:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• Keep outdoor activities short.
• Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
• Staying indoors as much as possible
• Keep your windows closed
• Use an air purifier if possible

The director of the asthma center at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., said air conditions could be particularly dangerous for children with asthma. Shilpa J. Patel told The Washington Post parents should keep all children indoors, especially those with asthma, and to have them wear N95 face masks if they go outside.

If children start coughing or have trouble breathing, they should start use their rescue inhalers every four hours, Patel said. Parents should call their child's primary care provider, too.

Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

• Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
• Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

Visit AirNow.gov to find current air quality ratings in your city.

D.C.’s air quality is also code red — rated unhealthy — on Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

“Everyone may experience health effects and should limit their outdoor activity; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects,” MWCOG said about code red air quality.

"It is recommended to limit time outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation for those suffering from respiratory illnesses. More smoke expected Thursday & Friday," the National Weather Service said Wednesday morning.

Clean Air Partners — which issues air quality forecasts for the Washington-Baltimore region — has Code Red air conditions for the entire area. An air quality alert means that fine particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

Tips For Coping With Poor Air Quality

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.

To help reduce air pollution:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
• Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
• Use mass transit, carpool, or work from home to limit driving. Fill up your gas tank during evening hours.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the Maryland Department of the Environment.