BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Canadian wildfire smoke is expected to blow into the Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, prompting state officials to declare a code red air quality alert.
But indications are the valley air quality will not get as bad as it was earlier this month.
- Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected in the Lehigh Valley Wednesday, and for several days after
- The state DEP has issued a code red air quality action day, meaning the air can be unhealthy to breathe
- There are more than 450 wildfire still burning in Canada
A Code Red Air Quality Action Day has been issued for all of Pennsylvania, according to a news release from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
By just before noon Wednesday, the Lehigh Valley air quality measured at 101 on the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality index.
By comparison, earlier this month the Lehigh Valley had what was considered to be the worst air quality in the country with readings above 460.
❗ DEP Declares Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulate Matter for June 28, 2023 for entire state of Pennsylvania: https://t.co/nVcDpPkHyf
— PA Department of Environmental Protection (@PennsylvaniaDEP) June 28, 2023
Residents are encouraged to check https://t.co/e2bc1IEjC8 for their local conditions. pic.twitter.com/tIOtFOm69E
“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,” officials said.
Smoke could impact air quality throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with some possible relief on Saturday.State Department of Environmental Protection
“Concentrations of smoke will likely be high throughout the day in western Pennsylvania and increasing throughout the day in eastern Pennsylvania.”
It’s only a few short weeks after the last instance of choking smoke to inundate the region, leading the nation with the worst air quality in the country and making air purifiers hard to find, and the long term impacts are still an area of research.
Officials said they expect the smoke to affect air quality throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with some possible relief Saturday.
There still are more than 450 fires burning in Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, More than half are out of control.
Residents can check current conditions at www.airnow.gov.
