Year-to-date statistics from Canada showed 102 out-of-control wildfires and a grand total of 837 in the country, covering more than 2.3 million hectares. <\/p>\n
Poor air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke around Southwestern PA has led to several closures and warnings and an unprecedented air quality alert.<\/p>\n
Allegheny County has announced a \u201cCode Maroon\u201d or \u201chazardous\u201d day as \u201cconditions have gotten progressively worse throughout the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maroon is worst rating on the list, according to the EPA, meaning everyone should avoid being outside.<\/p>\n
The Health Department recommends that all outdoor activities for the rest of the day and \u201cpotentially tomorrow\u201d be canceled.<\/p>\n
The DEP has also issued a code “purple” air quality alert for Friday across all of Pennsylvania. Purple is the second-to-highest code, right below maroon. <\/p>\n
The City of Pittsburgh has announced that all pools will be closed \u201cdue to air quality concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allegheny County pools are closed as well.<\/p>\n
Other community pools that have closed include Robinson Township and Green Tree.<\/p>\n
Other outdoor events have been canceled for Thursday evening and in Philadelphia, the start of the Phillies game has been moved up as smoke approaches the eastern part of Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n
If you have any outdoor events planned, experts are asking you to consider postponing or canceling due to the poor air quality.<\/p>\n
KDKA-TV meteorologist Ray Petelin says the current smoke descending on Pittsburgh is \u201cworse than 2023\u201d and that it will get \u201cworse\u201d through Thursday night and into Friday.<\/p>\n
Anyone that has to go outside is urged to wear an N95 mask or limit time outdoors.<\/p>\n
The majority of the smoke is coming from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784261959_819_image.png\")
<\/p>\n