The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Orange Action Day for air quality on Friday in Western Pennsylvania because of smoke from wildfires in Canada.
The orange alert indicates unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people. Young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis are advised to limit outdoor activities.
The Allegheny Health Department reported a high air quality index level of 91 in Avalon at 1 p.m. Thursday. Determined by fine particulate matter in the air, a level of 100 is at the high end of the moderate range of air quality, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
At 6 p.m. Thursday in Greensburg, the air quality level was at 53, near the low end of the moderate range, according to AirNow.gov.
Forecasts indicated more smoke from the wildfires would move into the region Thursday evening into Friday.
AirNow.gov predicted levels in excess of 130 Friday, within the index range (101-150) that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
