Statewide Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued for Friday due to continuing wildfire smoke

PITTSBURGH — A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for Pennsylvania for Friday due to the continuing Canadian wildfire smoke.

According to a release from Allegheny County, the highest concentrations of PM2.5 will be during the early overnight hours and fall into the Code Orange range on average for the day.

Young children, seniors, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities during this time.

A Code Red Air Quality Alert was in effect for both Wednesday and Thursday this week with an intense haze seen across Western Pennsylvania.

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Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter and air pollution by:

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
• Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips
• Limiting engine idling
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use

The Pennsylvania Department of Health also has recommendations on how to protect yourself from air pollution.

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