FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Neil Shader, ra-epnews@pa.gov
Pennsylvania under Code Red Air Quality Alert Due to Wildfire Smoke
Residents encouraged to limit outdoor activity, especially vulnerable populations
Harrisburg, PA – Today, June 7, 2023, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day throughout the entire
Commonwealth for fine particulate matter. Pennsylvania residents should limit their outdoor
activities. Children, sensitive populations such as older people, those who exercise or work
outdoors and those with lung or respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or
bronchitis should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations
of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range on Wednesday, with areas farther east
experiencing worse air quality, possibly into Code Purple ranges. For areas in Code Purple, all
residents should limit outdoor exertion, and sensitive populations should avoid all outdoor
exertion.
Residents are encouraged to limit their time outdoors but do not need to shelter in place. Pets
and other animals should be kept indoors.
The weather pattern pushing the smoke from wildfires in eastern Quebec is forecast to continue
until Friday for most of Pennsylvania. DEP will continue to update the forecast to determine
ongoing needs for Air Quality Alerts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides
standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air
quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for
sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.
An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher.
On an 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 limit outdoor activities.
For more information, visit DEP
at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb and EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit
the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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