Parts of PA are still under an air quality alert, and officials are urging some residents to stay indoors if possible. Here’s the latest:
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PENNSYLVANIA – Hazardous air quality and pollutant exposure continues to threaten the Keystone State Thursday as smoke from Canadian wildfires lingers through at least the weekend, officials said.
The highest concentrations of wildfire smoke should wane Thursday morning and into the afternoon across Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service said, though haze and smoke is expected to become more dense into Thursday evening.
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Thursday’s Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are expected to be slightly better, but still unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens, said the weather service, though Pennsylvania may not see the conditions clear completely until Friday or Saturday.
As of Thursday morning, the Philadelphia, Susquehanna Valley, Lehigh Valley/Berks County and northeast Pennsylvania areas (including Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike and Wayne counties) are under an air quality alert, with a “Code Orange Air Quality Action Day” in effect for Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly and those suffering from asthma or heart disease.
State air quality monitors in the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley areas registered “hazardous” air quality above 400 AQI Thursday morning, according to AirNow.gov. Other monitors in Altoona, Indiana County, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and State College reported “unhealthy” air quality in those areas.
Exposure to air pollutants from the wildfire, which as particulate matter and ground-level ozone, can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing, the weather service said.
“Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, and it can aggravate health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease,” the weather service added. “Seniors, children and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.”
“The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors,” the National Weather Service said.
The poor air quality has already forced the cancellation of several outdoor events Wednesday, including Major League Baseball games in both New York City and Philadelphia. School impacts for Thursday are limited; Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, as well as Neshaminy Schools and Truman High in Levittown, will be operating on a remote learning schedule due to poor air quality in the area.
There are approximately 160 wildfires burning across Quebec, part of a wider group of more than 300 fires across the country that some are calling Canada’s worst fire season ever.
Quebec’s fire prevention agency has said high temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to the raging fire season.
Previous fires in Nova Scotia and Alberta have sent smoke into Pennsylvania, prompting air quality warnings.
Here’s the latest weather forecast for Pennsylvania, per the National Weather Service:
Thursday: Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Widespread haze. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Widespread haze before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.