How long will the smoke last in Philly?
Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires are moving through the Northeast, coating the Philadelphia region in a smoky haze and a burning odor.
Here’s what NOAA is forecasting for Wednesday and overnight into Thursday:
— Felicia Gans Sobey and John Duchneskie
The air quality hasn’t been this unhealthy in Philadelphia since 2008
The air quality index for fine particulate matter in Philadelphia soared into purple Wednesday morning, the highest level since 2008, according to historical EPA data.
The EPA sets limits for each pollutant for its air quality index (AQI). The level of each pollutant is color-coded based on the highest daily AQI value at selected monitors. The Philadelphia Health Department lists six levels, from lowest to highest: green, yellow, orange, red, purple, and maroon — a level considered “hazardous.”
On Wednesday morning, the AQI for PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, in Philadelphia reached into purple, meaning the air was “very unhealthy” for the time it was measured.
The Inquirer examined historical EPA data stretching to 1999 for Philadelphia, and the only other time air quality reached into the purple was on April 21, 2008. However, there is no explanation in the data why the levels were so high on that date.
» READ MORE: At ‘purple,’ it’s the most unhealthful day for air quality in Philadelphia since 2008. What does that mean?
— Frank Kummer
Camden County issues ‘code red’ air quality alert
Camden County health officials have issued their own code red air quality alert, and are warning residents the air is “unhealthy to breathe.”
“Even if you aren’t classified as a sensitive individual, we recommend for everyone to try to minimize the time they are spending outside or exerting energy,” Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said in a statement. “So if you had plans to participate in outdoor activities or exercise, we strongly urge you to reschedule until the conditions improve.”
Nwako also urged residents to avoid unnecessary car trips and idling to “further reduce the amount to pollution across the county.”
— Rob Tornoe
Smoky haze cutting visibilities, and it may get worse
Visibility dropped to two miles early Wednesday at Philadelphia International Airport, and was seriously reduced at other observation stations around the region.
“It actually could lower this afternoon,” said Alex Dodd, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly.
So far, at least, the smoke does not appear to be affecting flight operations at Philadelphia International Airport, said Heather Redfern, airport spokesperson.
She said so far 12 delays and two cancellations have been reported, but it was unclear if those had anything to do with Canadian wildfire smoke here or at other airports.
Dodd said it’s likely the smoke will intensify this afternoon as the wind patterns are ideal for bringing it southward to the Northeast and Midatlantic.
— Anthony R. Wood
Sky turning red, sun no longer visible in areas of New York
Poor air quality impacting schools in Philly area
Philadelphia School District officials are in communication with city public health officials, spokesperson Monique Braxton said, and the district will follow city public health guidelines.
The city has upgraded the air quality designation from Code Orange to Code Red.
“This means that students and staff should remain indoors and limit time outside,” spokesperson Monique Braxton said. “Extended outside activities, such as outside field trips and field days, should be postponed. Schools already on a field trip should move indoors. Recess and all outside activities should be moved indoors if possible or canceled.”
The district has directed schools keep all windows and doors closed. Many Philadelphia schools are not air-conditioned.
“Though warm, the district does not expect indoor temperatures to exceed levels that would warrant early dismissal,” Braxton said.
Families of children at the Henry C. Lea Elementary in West Philadelphia were told that “today the air is really bad,” according to a message sent by the school nurse.
”Please encourage your students to mask today. If you or your child have asthma, please make sure they have their meds, take their controller meds (not the Albuterol), and consider a mask. Close windows in your home. Good luck!” the Lea nurse wrote. The school also cancelled a planned field trip because of the air quality issues.
In Cheltenham, school officials said recess would be indoors, noting that young children “are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.”
It also postponed outdoor activities — and said no decision had been made yet on whether Thursday’s graduation would proceed as planned.
Lower Merion, meanwhile, said it was planning for indoor recess and “limited” outdoor activities. Windows in schools will be closed in order for air filtration systems to work.
“Please note, while the MERV13 filters remove particulates, a smoky odor may remain,” the district advised families.
In Delaware County, Christopher Matsanka, principal of Strath Haven Middle School in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, said that “at this time, there is no widespread cancellation of outdoor activities” while the school awaits guidance from county health officials. He said the district “will provide accommodations for students and staff with a health condition that may be compromised due to the air quality and will limit strenuous outdoor activity.”
» READ MORE: Philadelphia School District is following city health guidelines, canceling some events
— Kristen A. Graham and Maddie Hanna
Philly issues code red alert, warns air is ‘unhealthy to breathe’
Philadelphia health officials have increased today’s air quality warning to a “code red” alert, due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
“This alert means that the air is unhealthy to breathe, and some members of the general public may experience health effects,” the Department of Health said in a statement. “Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”
Officials suggest residents should:
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Strongly consider cancelling outdoor events and gatherings
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Avoid going outdoors as much as possible
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Avoid excessive activities outdoors, such as jogging or exercising
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If you have to go outdoors, wear a high quality mask, like an N-95 or KN-95 mask
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Avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high, like main streets or highways, areas with low air circulation
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Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home
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Recirculate the air in your home with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home
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Pay attention to their bodies; if they are having trouble breathing, feeling nauseous, or dizzy, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Officials are also asking asking residents to:
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Avoid unnecessary car trips.
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Avoid using gas-powered mowers and weed whackers.
— Rob Tornoe
Smoke in Philly could linger into Thursday. It’s worse in New York City.
Chances are excellent that you won’t be seeing much of the sky over Philly on Wednesday, and this is not the day to visit the observation tower at the Empire State Building in Manhattan.
The morning outlooks by NOAA’s Global Systems Laboratory has the Canadian wildfire smoke stubbornly lasting through the day here, and at least into early Thursday.
And the National Weather Service has the smoke-importing winds continuing into Saturday.
It could be worse, and evidently it is to the north of Philadelphia, where the heaviest concentrations are due to cross the New York City metropolitan area.
— Anthony R. Wood
New Jersey warns residents of dangerous air quality
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is impacting New Jersey, where officials are warning residents to limit their activity outdoors Wednesday.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has declared an air quality action day for particulate matter, which means levels of fine particulates are expected to rise into unhealthy ranges for those with preexisting health conditions.
“I strongly urge all sensitive individuals — including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young — to stay safe and limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors today,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
— Rob Tornoe
Lehigh Valley IronPigs game rescheduled due to air quality
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, had one road game postponed and another rescheduled due to air quality concerns related to smoke from a Canadian wildfire.
The IronPigs were scheduled to face the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, but that game has been pushed back to 6:35 p.m, the team announced.
Tuesday’s game between the IronPigs and the Mets was called off less than a hour before the first pitch was set to be delivered.
The Phillies are scheduled to face the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.
— Rob Tornoe
Philly health officials caution going outdoors today due to wildfire smoke
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has prompted Philadelphia officials Wednesday to urge residents to take precautions Wednesday such as avoiding the outdoors or wearing a mask if you do have to go outside.
According to the city’s Health Department, smoke became worse Tuesday evening due to a “unique weather pattern.”
The air quality is poor throughout the region, such as in the city’s collar communities as well as South Jersey.
Philadelphia has listed the air quality as “very unhealthy” because of ozone and fine particles.
“Residents in the area should take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke and avoid activities that may increase the amount of particulate matter in the air,” the notice said.
A smoky haze reduced visibility to two miles at Philadelphia International Airport late Tuesday night and is expected to last through today.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has issued a code orange air quality alert for the Philadelphia Metro area. That means air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children and people with asthma, as well as heart or lung disease.
The wildfire smoke contains fine particles, or droplets in the air, known as PM 2.5, one of the pollutants the Health Department monitors. PM 2.5 are smaller than a human hair and can be dangerous because they can go deep in lungs. They also reduce visibility and cause a haze during when levels are elevated.
— Frank Kummer
Canadian wildfire smoke expected to linger in Philly today
Dense, acrid smoke from the Canadian wildfires that shrouded much of the Northeast like a fog bank and filled the skies over the Philadelphia region Tuesday evening, and was expected to linger through Wednesday.
The smell was so evident that Montgomery County reported that it had received “a significant influx of 911 calls” reporting “a burning odor.”
The smoky haze, which reduced visibility to two miles at Philadelphia International Airport late Tuesday night, was due to persist through at least Wednesday, and officials in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have issued air-quality alerts, advising people with respiratory or heart conditions to exercise caution.
The worst of it was forecast for Wednesday afternoon into the evening, the National Weather Service said.
— Anthony R. Wood
Where did the smoke in Philly’s air come from? Blame Canada.
Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has been moving into the United States since last month. The most recent fires near Quebec have been burning for at least several days.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood are likely, and that the smoke will linger for a few days in northern states.
“It’s not unusual for us to get fire smoke in our area. It’s very typical in terms of northwest Canada,” said Darren Austin, a meteorologist and senior air quality specialist with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. But, usually, the smoke has been aloft and hasn’t affected people’s health, he said.
The Quebec-area fires are big and relatively close, about 500 to 600 miles from Rhode Island. And they followed wildfires in Nova Scotia, which resulted in a short-lived air quality alert on May 30, Austin said.
Jay Engle, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Upton, Long Island, said the wind trajectory that allowed smoke and hazy conditions to be seen in the New York City area could continue for the next few days. Of course, he said, the main driver of conditions is the fires themselves. If they diminish, the haze would too.
— Associated Press