DEP: Canadian wildfire smoke creating unhealthy pollution levels for all Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG (KDKA) -- Smoke from the wildfires in Canada is creating unhealthy pollution levels for the whole state on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said. 

The DEP issued a code red air quality alert for Wednesday. Everyone is encouraged to limit their outdoor activities, especially children, older people and those with respiratory conditions. 

A code red is when the air is considered unhealthy and while the general public may experience health effects due to this level of pollution, sensitive groups will feel greater effects.

A code orange was previously issued for Wednesday before it was moved to red, and the DEP is forecasting a code orange day for the Pittsburgh area on Thursday too, meaning there will be unhealthy levels of pollution for sensitive groups of people. 

Northerly winds will bring more waves of wildfire smoke into the region. Fine particle matter will be elevated to or near the unhealthy range as a result. 

Residents are asked to avoid open burning and using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is encouraging residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them. 

"Many of us really enjoy spending time outside, however, while the smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting our air quality, we need to consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them," said Acting Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen in a press release. "For the next day or two, I encourage people to limit time outside, especially if you are sensitive to poor air quality."

To keep particle pollution lower indoors, the Health Department recommends not using candles or smoke inside, keeping your windows and doors closed and using an air filter if you have one. 

"It's crazy. I have trouble breathing and I'm really sensitive to smoke," Carnegie resident Jerry Perdue said.

"It's crazy watching the news, you can sort of see it. If I didn't know there were wildfires, I'd just think it's a hazy day in Pittsburgh," said North Side resident Katie Wickesberg.

Code red air quality days are rare. There have only been seven in Allegheny County over the last seven years. A statewide code red hasn't happened since 2002.

"I think the people that really need to be concerned – like you said you can see it in the air, but I can guarantee people with lung disease can feel it," said Dr. Tariq Cheema, the division chair of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy at Allegheny Health Network.

Cheema heads the Allegheny Health Network breathing disorder center and wants people with asthma, COPD or emphysema to stay inside. Cheema said no one should really breathe in the smoke particles because they can irritate the lungs and inflame them.

"I would recommend over the next day or so if possible, try to avoid going outside and inhaling all these particles," Cheema said.

"I don't have chronic issues, but I feel like I'm feeling stuff in my throat, some itchy stuff," said Wickesberg.

The most up-to-date readings can be found at this link. 

In:
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Wildfire Smoke