Air quality alert issued in Philadelphia area amid smoke from Canadian wildfires
The Brief
A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the Philadelphia area.
Wildfires in Canada are bringing smoke to our skies.
Sensitive groups are being urged to limit outdoor activities.
PHILADELPHIA - The sky may appear hazy across the Philadelphia area on Wednesday, and health officials are asking some residents to limit their time outside!
What we know
The New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania EPA and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission have issued a Code Orange air quality alert for the area.
Wildfires in south central Canada are bringing smoke to our skies and unhealthy air pollution levels for sensitive groups.
What's next
FOX 29's Sue Serio says the smoke concentration is expected to increase Wednesday afternoon and evening, then again Thursday afternoon.
What you can do
Young children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions are being urged to take it easy, and limit outdoor activities until better air quality returns.
The Source
Information from this article was provided by local environmental protection agencies and the FOX 29 Weather Authority.
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CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Air quality alert issued in Philadelphia, doctors urge high risk groups to limit outdoor activity
Doctors urge high risk groups to limit outdoor activity after a Code Orange was issued in Philly Doctors urge high risk groups to limit outdoor activity after a Code Orange was issued in Philly Doctors urge high risk groups to limit outdoor activity after a Code Orange was issued in Philly A Code Orange alert is in effect in Philadelphia, meaning the air is potentially unhealthy for sensitive groups. Tuesday's warm muggy weather may seem like a normal day, but doctors say people with medical conditions, the elderly and young children should be extra careful outside. "Not being able to catch your breath or control your breathing is a very scary experience," said Joy Ezekiel, a lung patient. Ezekiel, who lives in South Jersey, has lung damage from long COVID. She says even a beautiful warm day can make it difficult to breathe. "The days look beautiful. The sun is shining, but it feels like you're being suffocated," Ezekiel said. She relies on a rescue inhaler to help her breathe on bad air days. "Breathing hot humid air, especially humid air, it's like breathing water and it's much harder to move that air in and out of lungs even for healthy people," said Dr. Emilio Mazza of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. CBS Philadelphia Mazza says people can get into trouble if they ignore breathing difficulties when there's an air alert. "We do see a lot more patients coming in the emergency room," Mazza said. He says the haze hanging over the Philadelphia region can be dangerous for people in high-risk groups. Ozone from the heat mixing with pollution and elevated smoke from Canadian wildfires impacts the lungs. "It triggers a whole response that causes inflammation that causes the airways to swell and with smaller airways it's harder to breathe," Mazza said. He recommends sensitive groups to stay inside in air conditioning as much as possible. That means some may have to avoid the pretty sunsets until the air clears up so everyone can enjoy the scenery. Doctors say people concerned about the air alert should avoid being outside in the late afternoon, when ozone levels tend to be more elevated.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Air quality alert issued in Philadelphia area amid smoke from Canadian wildfires
The Brief A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the Philadelphia area. Wildfires in Canada are bringing smoke to our skies. Sensitive groups are being urged to limit outdoor activities. PHILADELPHIA - The sky may appear hazy across the Philadelphia area on Wednesday, and health officials are asking some residents to limit their time outside! What we know The New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania EPA and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission have issued a Code Orange air quality alert for the area. Wildfires in south central Canada are bringing smoke to our skies and unhealthy air pollution levels for sensitive groups. What's next FOX 29's Sue Serio says the smoke concentration is expected to increase Wednesday afternoon and evening, then again Thursday afternoon. What you can do Young children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions are being urged to take it easy, and limit outdoor activities until better air quality returns. The Source Information from this article was provided by local environmental protection agencies and the FOX 29 Weather Authority.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Philadelphia skies will be hazy Tuesday due to Canadian wildfire smoke, but no air quality alerts in effect
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will be visible in the Philadelphia region on Tuesday, but no major impacts on air quality are expected. Over 100 "out of control" fires are burning across Canada, in particular the provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which sit to the north of midwest and mountain states including Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. The Canadian Interagency Fire Center says there are 10 new fires as of Tuesday morning. In the U.S., smoke has particularly impacted air quality in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, an air quality alert was in effect for forecasted "unhealthy" air, while in other parts of the state, air quality was predicted to reach the "hazardous" level. How Philadelphia region will be impacted by Canada wildfires Winds are carrying some of that smoke to the eastern U.S. on Tuesday. Smoke in the Philadelphia area will mostly stay high in the atmosphere, and the air we breathe down on the ground should stay relatively clear. No air quality alerts are in effect at this time. The haze will start to appear Tuesday afternoon and you will probably notice the difference compared to a perfectly clear day — but the sun should still be visible. Remember that even if it seems a little less sunny than a clear day, the sun's UV rays can still make it to the surface. You should still use sun protection as normal if you're outdoors. This is a far different situation compared to 2023, when smoke from fires burning in Quebec descended down to the surface, greatly impacting air quality across the East Coast — and at one point, giving Philadelphia the worst air quality in the world. Map shows when wildfire smoke is thickest over Philadelphia CBS News Philadelphia This map from our morning newscasts shows the thickest smoke, represented by the redddish orange color, setting in around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. before cycling out overnight. Areas like the Jersey Shore could see some lingering thicker smoke Wednesday morning, which might make for a brilliant sunrise. How can I monitor air quality near me? When air quality turns hazardous, local health authorities will issue alerts — typically the worst these get is a Code Orange, meaning the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, like people with lung conditions. CBS News Philadelphia The air quality index ranges from green for good to maroon for hazardous. You can see the full scale in the image above. If an air quality alert is issued for smoke, it means the air contains a higher-than-normal measured concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns, commonly abbreviated as PM2.5. PM2.5 is narrower in diameter than a human hair and due to its small size, can penetrate into the deepest parts of your lungs, with potential to induce inflammation or tissue damage. As of Tuesday morning, June 3, there are no air quality alerts in the Philadelphia region including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. You can see real-time air conditions on a map at
