Code Red For Philly
The Philadelphia region is currently under a “Code Red” air quality alert Wednesday due to tiny particulate matter in the air as result of the Quebec wildfires. As smoke from multiple wildfires in eastern Canada drifts down into our region, Philadelphians are being advised to stay home and limit time outside.
According to AirNow, A “Code Red” is based on the U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), which reports air quality. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.
Skies are hazy and air quality is reduced in Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs, the Lehigh Valley and Delaware. Philly had an AQI of 205 as of Wednesday morning, which is classified as “very unhealthy.”
New York City; Jersey City, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut all had “unhealthy” AQIs ranging from 155 to 171 on Wednesday morning.
The Cause Of It All
Canada is home to some of the densest forests in North America and experience wildfires to some magnitude every year. However, the current wildfires are being described by authorities as devastating. Officials are predicting this wildfire season to be the worst the country has ever seen!
“This is a scary time for a lot of people,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference in Ottawa.
There are currently 413 active wildfires, including 249 deemed out of control. Furthermore, about 26,000 people are under evacuation orders across Canada.
What This All Means For Philly
Due to smoke from over 150 wildfires burning in the province of Quebec and around Ottawa, Canada, the air quality levels in Philly are deemed very unhealthy. Here’s what you can do in the mist of a code red:
- All Pennsylvania residents should limit time outdoors, especially vulnerable populations, including small children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in the car
- Avoid idling
- Carpool when possible
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
When Will It Get Better
According to CBS News, the air quality will stay poor through the rest of the afternoon and into the overnight hours. Smoke can worsen at night and early morning due to sinking cooler air drawing the smoke to the ground. Be prepared, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Indeed, we should see close-to-normal conditions return by Friday morning.
You can continue to follow the air quality levels by visiting AirNow.gov