The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange air quality alert for western Pennsylvania today, due to smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.
A temperature inversion this morning will hold residual wildfire smoke close to the ground, pushing particulate matter air pollution levels into a range considered unhealthy for sensitive groups under the U.S. Air Quality Index system.
While the alert — and air pollution — is considerably less severe than last week’s two-day statewide Code Purple alert, a Code Orange is still a level of air pollution the region sees only a few times a year.
Sensitive individuals, including young children, elderly people and residents with respiratory conditions, may experience health effects with pollution at these levels. They can protect themselves by limiting heavy outdoor activity.
Last week, air quality was so poor that the city of Pittsburgh canceled all outdoor programs and closed city pools on Friday.
All residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce air pollution by avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn equipment and open burning. Individuals can also reduce car trips, as vehicles produce particulate matter pollution.
Residents can monitor local air quality via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Now website. The EPA also maintains a fire and smoke map that shows the location of fires and smoke plumes.
The Code Orange alert is in effect until midnight tonight. At 6 a.m. Monday morning, air quality in Pittsburgh was in the yellow, or moderate range, with worse air quality appearing to the west.
The smoke is expected to clear tomorrow, when a weather front pushes through the region, bringing with it a chance of severe thunderstorms.