STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — The thick haze hanging over Central Pennsylvania is forcing communities to change plans and rethink outdoor activities.

Experts advise against spending an unnecessary amount of time outdoors, as it can be potentially dangerous. You can feel it in your lungs and in your eyes.

Pennsylvania declared that the state is in a ‘Code Purple’ heading into Friday and that could potentially be dangerous. The haze hanging over Central Pennsylvania is more than just an eyesore.

State officials say smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has pushed air quality into the Code Purple category, the second-highest alert level, meaning the air is considered very unhealthy, especially for people with heart or lung conditions.

Geisinger Medical Center Pulmonary Critical Care Physician Dr. Sean Devine said he’s already seeing more patients reporting breathing issues and says the best thing people can do is limit their time outside.

“The typical symptoms are shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and wheezing,” Devine said. “Some of the issues that have cropped up are, particularly those with lung disease, are having exacerbation of either their COPD. And in the younger population, asthma, where there’s been an increase in the number of calls to the office because of it. But I would recommend avoiding outdoors, and if you have to be outdoors, I’d recommend wearing an N-95 mask.”

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While many people chose to stay inside, others ventured outside despite the conditions. And for those who spent time outside, the smell of smoke and reduced visibility were hard to ignore.

“First, it was like 2023 when we had this going on, but now I was just talking to my son, it’s even worse. Stronger odor. Less visibility. It’s pretty pervasive. I sometimes have breathing problems, but so far I haven’t had any ill effects,” Dubois Resident Rick Chapman said.

Experts are saying that if you have any underlying asthma or respiratory problems, you should stay indoors.

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