Code RED Air Quality Alert Issued for Wednesday

Screen grab of the current Air Quality Index from airnow.gov as of 9 p.m. on June 27.

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert for Western Pennsylvania as smoke from Canadian wildfires makes its way back into the region.

The alert is in effect until midnight on Thursday, June 29.

“A Code RED Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthy, and the general public may experience mild health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects,” the National Weather Service said. “The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.”

A previous Code RED Alert had been issued on June 7 as wildfires continue to burn across Canada.