Code Orange air quality warning issued amid Canadian wildfires

Smoke from Canadian wildfires will cause a decline in the region’s air quality on Tuesday.

A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day was declared by the state Department of Environmental Protection for Tuesday because of fine particulate matter in the air, in part from wildfires in eastern Canada, the DEP said.

The Pittsburgh area, which includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties was in the warning area.

RAP Smoke model shows relatively high concentrations of near-surface smoke from the Canadian wildfires will continue to move southward into this part of the country over the next couple days. pic.twitter.com/rIIKVrpMq2

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) June 6, 2023

The DEP also issued air quality warnings in the Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley and Susquehanna Valley areas of the state.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index (AQI) defines a Code Orange day as one where there are unhealthy pollution levels to sensitive groups of people, such as children, older adults and people with heart and lung disease.

The Allegheny County Health Department also issued an air quality warning for four areas of the county: Clairton, Lawrenceville, North Braddock and Avalon.

In addition, the National Weather Service warned the extended dry conditions — combined with lower humidity and gusty winds in Tuesday’s forecast — could heighten fire concerns in the area.

National Weather Service data shows the Pittsburgh region has received 12.4 inches of precipitation in the first five months of 2023, the lowest total in the past four years during that time frame. Dry conditions are expected to continue.

There is a “low probability” of showers bringing light rain to locations northeast of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the NWS said.

In a tweet promoting wildfire safety, the NWS urged people to properly discard cigarettes, keep vehicles off of dry gas, avoid activities with open flames or spark, avoid power equipment that creates sparks and obey burn bans.

Dry weather will continue, though a low probability shower may bring light rain to locations NE of Pittsburgh Thursday.

For today, extended dry conditions combined with lower humidity and gusty wind could heighten fire concerns. Follow these fire safety tips. pic.twitter.com/Gb3o2UvTOA

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) June 6, 2023

The service also reminded people to evacuate if smoke or fire is coming their way or if local officials order them to do so.