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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> system.<\/p>\n While the alert \u2014 and air pollution \u2014 is considerably less severe than last week\u2019s two-day statewide Code Purple alert<\/a>, a Code Orange is still a level of air pollution the region sees only a few times a year.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Last week, air quality was so poor that the city of Pittsburgh canceled all outdoor programs<\/a> and closed city pools on Friday.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Residents can monitor local air quality via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s Air Now<\/a> website. The EPA also maintains a fire and smoke map<\/a> that shows the location of fires and smoke plumes.<\/p>\n