Code Orange Code Air Quality Alert Issued Tuesday For Lower Bucks Co.

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The smoke from Canadian wildfires has returned to the Philadelphia region, bringing with it hazy skies and air pollution concentrations that may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Tuesday for Lower Bucks County and the Philadelphia region.

The DEP said that Turesday's forecast may result in several hours where air pollution concentrations move into the Code Orange range.

The alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly.

The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

The smoke may act to produce ozone levels in the high moderate range for some time during the afternoon as well, the DEP said. Afternoon highs will reach the middle and upper 80s.

The DEP said the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday may also reach into Code Orange levels.

Sensitive individuals are urged to limit outdoor activity during the late morning and afternoon hours and visit www.airnow.gov for the latest air quality information.

The DEP’s air quality forecast for the Philadelphia region can be found here.