WASHINGTON(7News) — If you have plans to spend time outdoors on Friday, you may want to rethink them.
The Washington, D.C., region is under a Code Red Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17, as smoke from massive Canadian wildfires combines with summertime ozone pollution to create air that is unhealthy for everyone.
Air Quality Tomorrow 7-17-26
This is a step above Thursday’s Code Orange alert and marks one of the poorest air quality days the region has experienced this summer.
Why Is The Air Quality So Poor?
Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada has traveled thousands of miles into the Mid-Atlantic. Tiny particles in that smoke, known as PM2.5, have become trapped in the atmosphere over our region.
At the same time, July sunshine and hot temperatures help produce ground-level ozone, another harmful pollutant. Together, smoke and ozone are pushing air quality into the Code Red category.
While everyone can be affected, the greatest health risks are for:
ChildrenOlder adultsPeople with asthma or other lung diseasesAnyone with heart diseasePregnant womenPeople who work outdoorsWhat Does Code Red Mean?
A Code Red AQI means the air is unhealthy for everyone—not just sensitive groups.
Even healthy adults may notice:
Eye, nose, or throat irritationCoughingShortness of breath during exerciseReduced endurance during outdoor activities
If you can see or smell smoke, your lungs are already being exposed to fine particles.
What You Should Do On Friday
Health officials recommend:
Limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.Move workouts indoors if possible.Children should reduce vigorous outdoor play.Keep windows closed if smoke is noticeable.Run your home’s air conditioning on recirculate if available.Use a portable HEPA air cleaner if you have one.If you must spend extended time outdoors, an N95 respirator offers protection from wildfire smoke. Cloth masks do not.
You Can Also Help Reduce Pollution
Small actions can make a difference during high pollution days:
Delay mowing your lawn or use an electric mower.Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal.Fill your gas tank after sunset.Carpool, take transit, or work from home if possible.Reduce electricity use by turning off unnecessary lights and electronics.A Rare Upgrade in Western Maryland
Forecast confidence has become so high that the Maryland Department of the Environment upgraded the Maryland Panhandle to Code Purple, indicating very unhealthy air quality, after multiple forecast models consistently showed extremely high smoke concentrations moving into that region.
The remainder of Maryland, including the Washington metropolitan area, remains under a Code Red forecast.
Looking Ahead
4 Day Air Quality Forecast 7-17-26
There is encouraging news for the weekend.
A cold front is expected to move through late Friday into Saturday, shifting winds and gradually helping disperse the thickest smoke. While some haze may linger into the weekend, air quality should slowly improve compared to Friday’s peak pollution levels.
Keep in mind Friday is expected to be the worst air quality day of the week across the D.C. area. If you have flexibility, limit your time outdoors, especially during the afternoon when pollution levels are typically highest.