That’s right, Jerry and Tasmin. There’s *** lot of people out and about here tonight in downtown Lancaster. Some tell me they feel unaffected by the haze. Others tell me they’re worried, but they still want to spend some time outdoors. We actually spoke with *** doctor earlier today, and he tells us the best practice is to keep track of how long you’re outside. Downtown Lancaster looks lively on *** Friday night, but the smoky skies are still shaking up the streets. I can smell it, like I can taste it in my mouth. Whatever this is, it’s not normal. Elena Purnell says she wants to keep her lungs healthy. She says she’s worn her mask everywhere today. I just don’t want to inhale that like constantly. Other people like Jordan feel unaffected. I saw it. Not too much to scare me or anything. Dr. Christopher McCarty says both of those reactions are normal. He’s currently dealing with concerned patients. They’ve been having *** lot more congestion, more problems breathing, so it really does affect people more than you would expect. But he says you don’t have to panic. Just be aware of how long you’re spending outdoors. Well, for most people who have healthy lungs. This is not going to affect you too much, but I mean over *** long period of time it’s not good for your lungs. Striking *** balance is the best approach. Stay inside if you can, and if you go outside, keep it to pretty short periods of time. That’s the advice Elena hopes more people follow. People just talking to each other and letting each other know and caring because our health is our beings. I reached out to several hospitals in the area on the amount of cases they’re dealing with. Health Healthcare workers at Wellspan Erida Community Hospital tell me they haven’t dealt with any cases today, and I’m waiting to hear back from other locations in Lancaster. I’m Nicole Beltran, WGA News.
Smoky skies in Lancaster prompt health warnings as residents share mixed reactions
Updated: 10:14 PM EDT Jul 17, 2026
Smoky skies across the Susquehanna Valley are raising health concerns, with experts advising people to stay indoors if possible to minimize exposure. Residents react to smoky conditionsDowntown Lancaster remained lively Friday night, with some residents expressing concern about the haze while others appeared less affected. “I can smell it. Like I can taste it in my mouth. Whatever this is, it’s not normal,” said Elena Purnell, a Lancaster resident. She added, “I just don’t want to inhale that constantly. I don’t want to mess with that.” Purnell said she has been wearing a mask all day to protect her lungs. Others, like Jordan, felt less concerned. “I saw it. Not too much to scare me or anything,” Jordan said. Doctor warns of health risksDr. Christopher McCarty, a WellSpan physician, said both reactions are normal and noted that he has been seeing patients with respiratory issues. “They’ve been having a lot more congestion or problems breathing. So it really does affect people more than you would expect,” McCarty said. He explained that while healthy individuals may not experience significant effects, prolonged exposure to the smoky air is not good for anyone’s lungs. “Well, for most people who have healthy lungs, this is not going to affect you too much. But I mean, over a long period of time, it’s not good for your lungs,” McCarty said. His advice is to limit outdoor exposure. “Stay inside if you can, and if you go outside, keep it to a pretty short period of time,” he said. Purnell hopes more people will take precautions. “People just talking to each other and letting each other know, caring because our health is our being,” she said. Healthcare workers at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital reported no cases related to the air quality on Friday, and other hospitals in the area have yet to respond to inquiries.
LANCASTER, Pa. —
Smoky skies across the Susquehanna Valley are raising health concerns, with experts advising people to stay indoors if possible to minimize exposure.
Residents react to smoky conditions
Downtown Lancaster remained lively Friday night, with some residents expressing concern about the haze while others appeared less affected. “I can smell it. Like I can taste it in my mouth. Whatever this is, it’s not normal,” said Elena Purnell, a Lancaster resident. She added, “I just don’t want to inhale that constantly. I don’t want to mess with that.” Purnell said she has been wearing a mask all day to protect her lungs.
Others, like Jordan, felt less concerned. “I saw it. Not too much to scare me or anything,” Jordan said.
Doctor warns of health risks
Dr. Christopher McCarty, a WellSpan physician, said both reactions are normal and noted that he has been seeing patients with respiratory issues. “They’ve been having a lot more congestion or problems breathing. So it really does affect people more than you would expect,” McCarty said.
He explained that while healthy individuals may not experience significant effects, prolonged exposure to the smoky air is not good for anyone’s lungs. “Well, for most people who have healthy lungs, this is not going to affect you too much. But I mean, over a long period of time, it’s not good for your lungs,” McCarty said.
His advice is to limit outdoor exposure. “Stay inside if you can, and if you go outside, keep it to a pretty short period of time,” he said.
Purnell hopes more people will take precautions. “People just talking to each other and letting each other know, caring because our health is our being,” she said.
Healthcare workers at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital reported no cases related to the air quality on Friday, and other hospitals in the area have yet to respond to inquiries.