Code Orange Air Quality Alert Issued In MD Due To Wildfire Smoke, Heat

MARYLAND — Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to pour into Maryland on Thursday, prompting state environmental officials to declare a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the Baltimore region.

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly.

According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, wildfire smoke, along with workweek emissions and well-above-normal temperatures, will combine on Thursday to push ozone concentrations above the USG threshold.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index uses color codes to forecast and report daily air quality. The orange zone represents an AQI of 101 to 150. In this zone, sensitive groups, including children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, could experience unhealthy pollution levels.

The red zone, 151-200, warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

The AQI forecast for Baltimore on Thursday is 108. In Washington, D.C., it is 105.

With generally westerly to southwesterly winds expected on Thursday, this will align with Interstate 95 and create the most air pollution along a corridor from Washington, D.C., through Baltimore and into northeastern Maryland.

On Friday, continued warmth will keep air pollution elevated, but conditions will likely remain below the unhealthy threshold.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles, visit the Maryland Department of the Environment website.

Across Canada, wildfires are devouring land at a pace unseen in any year other than the historic 2023 season, The Washington Post reported. More than 8 million acres have already burned, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

The agency also reported significant fire growth across British Columbia, increasing the amount of smoke moving into the United States.

During an air quality alert, the National Weather Service said residents in affected areas should follow these tips:

• Stay Informed. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite weather news station
• Stay inside if possible, particularly if you have respiratory concerns or other health problems, are a senior or a child.
• If you must go out, try to limit the amount of time you are out to strictly essential activities.
• Minimize your use of items that increase pollution, such as cars, gas-powered lawn mowers and other vehicles.
• Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.

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