Wildfire smoke leads to Code Orange alert day for area
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Thick wildfire smoke is seen on Washington Street in Shenandoah.
SHENANDOAH – Wildfire smoke is expected to cause air quality issues in our area Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a Code Orange air quality action day for all Sentinel-area counties — Schuylkill, Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, and Northumberland counties — as wildfire smoke is expected to move into the area.
DEP says the smoke, from Canadian wildfires, will persist over most of central and eastern Pennsylvania throughout the day and bring particulate matter averages to the code orange range.
On a Code Orange 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.
Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:
- Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment;
- Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
- Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use.
For air quality in the Shenandoah area, visit this website.
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