Code Orange air quality action day issued for Western Pa. on Tuesday

In response to wildfires spreading across northern and western Canada, officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared Tuesday a Code Orange air quality action day for several areas of the state, including parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

According to a news release from the department, light winds carrying smoke from the wildfires will “likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range.”

Code Orange is issued when there are unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people.

Counties across the region impacted by the alert include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland.

Across the state, impacted counties include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and York.

On Tuesday, people with respiratory problems including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, “are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution” and should limit outdoor activities, according to the news release.

Residents and businesses in those areas are also encouraged to help reduce air pollution by reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash and other materials; and avoiding the use of gas powered lawn and garden equipment.

The National Weather Service noted that the wildfires are also leading to haze across the region.

The sky is hazy due to wildfire smoke from Canada. ☁️ Below is a link to the high resolution model (HRRR) that helps forecast vertically integrated and near-surface smoke potential in the near term...https://t.co/OF9Gl7yLsi

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 19, 2021

What is that milky color over the Great Lakes? Well, that is smoke from wildfires in Canada. With the sudden wind shift from the northwest, the next few days will be bit hazy. pic.twitter.com/GE69MzC9Cd

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 18, 2021

According to the British Columbia Wildfire Service’s dashboard, there were 300 active fires across Canada as of Monday, about 29% of which are considered out of control. About 67% are thought to have been sparked by lightning.