The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on Friday, July 17, as wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota is expected to blanket the commonwealth.
The Code Purple alert marks a worsening of air quality from Thursday’s Code Red alert and indicates very unhealthy conditions. DEP said smoke concentrations are expected to create Code Purple levels across Pennsylvania, though conditions may vary by location throughout the day.
Officials are urging residents to check AirNow.gov before spending time outdoors, noting that local air quality could range from Code Orange or Code Red to even Code Maroon in some areas depending on changing conditions.
During a Code Purple Air Quality Alert, all residents are advised to avoid long or intense outdoor activities and move activities indoors whenever possible. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with respiratory illnesses, are advised to avoid all outdoor activities.
DEP is also asking residents and businesses to help reduce additional fine particulate pollution by avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment and refraining from open burning of leaves, trash and other materials.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index uses color-coded categories to communicate health risks. Green indicates good air quality, yellow represents moderate conditions, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, red is unhealthy for everyone, and purple signifies very unhealthy air quality. DEP issues Air Quality Alerts when air quality is forecast to reach Code Orange or higher.
Residents are encouraged to monitor current air quality conditions before making decisions about outdoor activities, as conditions can change throughout the day.