Air Quality Alert in Effect Thursday

An air quality alert is in effect Thursday for the Baltimore metropolitan area.

The Code Orange alert, issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment for Baltimore City and Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, Carroll, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, warns that air pollution in some areas may be unhealthy for some groups. Those include children; people with asthma, heart disease or lung disease; and seniors.

The alert warns people to avoid strenuous activity outdoors. For more information, residents are asked to visit the state's website or call the air quality hotline at 410-537-3247.

Highs in the Baltimore area could get into the mid 90s in some parts Thursday.