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

VIRGINIA — Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to move into Washington, D.C., and Virginia on Thursday, prompting state environmental officials to declare a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the Northern Virginia 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. Wildfire smoke in Canada is blowing to the central and eastern states, causing air quality concerns, according to the Washington Post.

Another factor contributing to air quality concerns is the first 90-degree forecast of 2025 in the D.C. region, according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ground level ozone in Northern Virginia on Thursday. That means ground level ozone will approach or exceed healthy standard.

Authorities say children and people with asthma are at the most risk. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality recommended active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases like asthma should limit heavy outdoor exertion.

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 Washington, D.C. is 105.

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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