The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for all of Pennsylvania for fine particulate matter for June 29th due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The condition is expected to continue into June 30th and possibly July 1st.

Concentrations of smoke will likely be high throughout the day in western Pennsylvania and increasing throughout the day in eastern Pennsylvania. Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range. Local conditions could be Code Purple throughout the day and residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for their local conditions.

On a Code Red Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

In Code Purple conditions, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.

Conditions will likely be worse in the morning as a natural weather phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will keep smoke-filled air closer to the surface and prevent air from higher elevations to mix with air closer to the ground.

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