With smoke from the Canadian wildfires still hanging heavy over the region, Pennsylvania officials declare a rare Code Purple air quality alert for Friday, but cautioned some areas could be worse while others may be slightly better off.
No matter the actual ozone level, which on Friday morning was near 200 to well over 250 in various areas of Bucks County, all should take precautions, especially those with underlying health conditions. Check levels at airnow.gov.
The air quality should improve Saturday with rain, that could be heavy at times, moving in and staying for much of the day, according to the National Weather Service.
PA issues a Code Purple
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Action Day for Friday due to the wildfire smoke.
“Current local conditions could be more severe (Code Maroon) or less severe (Code Red or Code Orange) depending on your location at any given time. Residents should make informed decisions on their outdoor activity based on the conditions at the time,” the DEP said in a release Thursday.
“During Code Purple Air Quality Alerts all residents should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid all outdoor activities. All residents are encouraged to move activities indoors.”
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, jet streams are pushing the smoke to the Northeast, making an air quality impact from the Canadian wildfires.
Searches for air quality, air quality index, air quality map, wildfire smoke and Canadian wildfire smoke are surging as weather models show smoke spreading toward Pennsylvania. Forecasters say smoke could lead to hazy skies, reduced visibility and air-quality concerns, though the severity remains uncertain.
Where are the Canada wildfires? Are they in Ontario?
Many of the wildfires affecting air quality concerns in the Northeast are burning in Ontario, Canada, as well as Minnesota and nearby regions, according to AccuWeather and Canadian wildfire maps. Smoke from those fires has spread across the Great Lakes and is forecast to move toward Pennsylvania and the Northeast.
Readers can track wildfire smoke using NOAA’s HRRR Smoke Forecast and AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map, and Canada’s interactive wildfire map to track active wildfire hotspots and fire activity across Ontario and the rest of Canada.
Why does PA wildfire smoke make the sky hazy?
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can spread through the atmosphere and reduce visibility. Even when the smoke remains high above the ground, it can make the sky appear hazy or washed out.
Why is the sun orange today?
Canadian wildfire smoke may be one reason the sun appears orange or red today. Smoke particles can filter sunlight and make colorful sunrises and sunsets appear more vivid, especially when smoke is present high in the atmosphere.
Is there a heat advisory today? Current heat index
No. The heat advisory from earlier this week has been lifted as temperatures should top out at about 88 degrees on Friday.
How long could PA wildfire smoke last?
The National Weather Service says Canadian wildfire smoke could affect the region this week. Some forecast guidance suggests smoke may dissipate over our skies by Saturday, depending on weather conditions and the movement of the smoke plume.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Wildfire smoke hangs over Bucks County. PA under Code Purple today
Reporting by Lori Comstock and Danielle Delfin, Bucks County Courier Times / Bucks County Courier Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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