Latest news with #CodeOrange
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- 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
2 days ago
- Climate
- 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
3 days ago
- Climate
- 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
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Massive wildfire grows to 1,500 acres near NC coast; Boiling Spring Lakes roads reopen in Brunswick County
BOILING SPRING LAKES, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials said a massive wildfire near the North Carolina coast in Boiling Spring Lakes nearly tripled in size again overnight into Sunday in Brunswick County. The 'Sunset Road Fire' began Friday, burning 200 acres near N.C. 87 and grew to 650 acres on Saturday, just 10 miles from popular beach vacation areas, according to Boiling Spring Lakes town officials. 'On Saturday morning, the wildfire grew due to spotting over containment lines, causing the fire to spread,' N.C. Forest Service officials said in a Sunday news release. By Sunday morning, the wildfire was up to 1,500 acres and was just 10 percent contained, the N.C. Forest Service said. 650 acre wildfire near NC coast; evacuations, roads closed in Brunswick County Crews said, 'erratic winds and regionally dry conditions have made containment of the fire difficult.' About a half-inch of rain fell overnight into Sunday, which diminished flames in the 'tree canopy,' the news release said. But, forest officials said the fire could reignite in areas. 'Deep, smoldering organic soil also has the potential to hold fire below the soil surface, causing difficulties in extinguishing,' the news release said. As of Sunday, no homes have been destroyed by the fire. The fire is located 10 miles north of Caswell Beach and 10 miles west of Carolina Beach. On Sunday, all roads are opened and all evacuations were lifted, the N.C. Forest Service said. Air quality has improved somewhat, with a Code Orange air quality alert in Brunswick County for Sunday. As of noon Sunday, the N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team took command of the Sunset Road Fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Children Advised Against Going Outside in Parts of North Carolina
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Children and other sensitive groups are being urged to limit outdoor activity Tuesday in Jones County, North Carolina, where the state's Department of Environmental and Natural Resources has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day as a large wildfire burns in the area. Why It Matters Health officials have emphasized that sensitive groups—including children, older adults, and people with preexisting respiratory conditions—are particularly at risk during periods of poor air quality. What To Know The Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures pollution, was forecast to reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups category" in Jones County on Tuesday, with a value of 140, which is at the higher range of a Code Orange—a value over 150 is a Code Red, air quality that is unhealthy for everyone. The AQI's Code Orange says "older adults, children, active people, and those with heart or lung disease may experience health effects" and advises those groups to "limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors." According to officials, smoke from the Black Swamp fire prompted the alert. Officials noted that the fire had burned more than 850 acres in the Croatan National Forest. Satellite imagery has detected a visible smoke plume, and an inversion is forecasted to trap smoke near the surface through Tuesday morning, worsening air quality conditions. A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warmer air sits above a layer of cooler air near the ground, reversing the normal temperature pattern (where air usually gets colder with altitude). This "inverted" layer acts like a lid, trapping the cooler air—and whatever pollutants it contains—close to the surface. Elsewhere in the state, yellow pollution levels were forecast in areas like Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Raleigh, where moderate air quality issues may still affect residents. A Code Yellow air quality alert signifies that the Air Quality Index is in the range of 51 to 100, indicating "Moderate" air quality. This level is generally acceptable for the general population; however, individuals who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience mild health effects. What People Are Saying Professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine Jonathan Grigg, with Queen Mary, University of London told Newsweek: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults. "Their trajectory can be deviated so they don't actually achieve their maximum lung function." There are also "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, Grigg said. Additionally, Grigg said conditions such as asthma are also exacerbated by exposure to air pollution. What Happens Next At the time of writing, the Code Orange Air Quality Action Day was in effect until midnight.
