Thursday was another hot day, but this time the skies were getting smokier as well, as the Department of Health issued a Code Red Air Quality Alert for the entire state of Pennsylvania. 

Health officials are advising people with working air conditioners to stay indoors.

This as jobs like construction and landscaping tend to have their busiest seasons.

Joshua Zayas owns Keystone Lawn Designs, LLC, a landscaping company serving the Lehigh Valley. He and his crews were out, mowing lawns and weed whacking, early Thursday afternoon.

“We just come in early, try and get as much as we can get done before the heat really starts up for the day,” he said. “Just a rough day.”

As if the high temps and humidity haven’t been bad enough this week, workers outside on Thursday afternoon were hit with another element in this double-weather whammy.

“It’s been tough dealing with the smoke from the wildfires, the humidity, the heat all together,” Zayas said.

The Department of Environmental Protections issued a Code Red Alert for the entire state, as wildfire smoke makes its way from up north.

“Makes it a little bit harder to breathe,” Zayas said.

The City of Bethlehem responded, closing all its pools for the day and rescheduling a block party at Madison Park to Monday.

Bethlehem, Allentown pools closed Thursday, amid air quality issues

Kristen Wenrich, the City of Bethlehem’s health director tells 69 News that back in 2023 when the region was hit with harsh air quality from wildfires up north, the city established new guidelines. So once the air quality index is in the red, officials begin shutting down activities for health and safety.

But other parts of the city don’t necessarily stop for weather.

“We are at the height of the construction season,” Michael Alkhal, Director of Public Works for the City of Bethlehem, said. “So we have a lot of ongoing projects.”

Though they do at least slow down for weather events such as these.

“More frequent breaks, make sure there’s, you know, people are, have water available to them,” Alkhal said.

“Cool towels around the neck, making sure we’re hydrated, ice, lots of drinks,” Zayas said. “I have asthma, I have to stay with my inhaler all day, battling through it.”

Meanwhile, in Allentown, Mayor Tuerk earlier in the day told 69 News the city hadn’t yet reached its threshold to close city pools, but as conditions worsened, that changed and pools closed around 4:30 p.m.

Officials say it’s a tough decision, because while they don’t want to encourage outdoor activity on poor air quality days like Thursday, some don’t have air conditioning. And with the high temperatures, it can be impossible to stay indoors.