Canadian Wildfire Smoke Over VA, DC Prompts Orange Air Quality Alert Through Tuesday

VIRGINIA — Wildfire smoke from Canada moving through the Mid-Atlantic states from midday Monday through midday Tuesday is creating Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) air quality for parts of Northern Virginia, with some communities on the verge of red alerts.

Under a code orange, people in sensitive groups are advised to stay inside if possible. This includes older adults, children, teens and people with heart or lung disease, according to AirNow.gov.

On Monday afternoon, the Fairfax area had an AQI of 145 (orange) due to the smoke and a 101 (orange) for high levels of ozone.

The Capital Weather Gang reported at 1 p.m. that visibility at Reagan National Airport had dropped to 2 miles, as the AQI entered the orange range.

As of 3 p.m. on Monday, Washington, D.C. reported an AQI of 151 (red), which is unhealthy for some members of the public and more serious for people in sensitive groups, according to the D.C. Department of Energy & Environment. Ozone levels in the District were reported at 108 (orange).

Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Burke, Reston, and other Northern Virginia communities were also in the red alert category by mid-afternoon.

Extensive swaths of the northern United States awoke to unhealthy air quality Monday morning or were experiencing it by mid-afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov Smoke and Fire map.

Fine particle pollution caused by smoke from Canada’s wildfires is causing a red zone air quality index, meaning it is unhealthy for everyone. The particles, known as PM2.5, are tiny enough to get deep into the lungs and cause short-term problems like coughing and itchy eyes, and in the long run, can affect the lungs and heart.

Relief from the smoke crossing the Canadian-U.S. border won’t be immediate, experts said. Large fires in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan are likely to keep churning out smoke throughout the summer and possibly into early fall, said Montana Department of Environmental Quality meteorologist Aaron Ofseyer.

“The worst is over with this round,” Ofseyer said. “Unfortunately there’s still a ton of wildfire smoke north of the border. Anytime we get a North wind we’re going to be dealing with Canadian wildfire smoke.”

The air quality index forecast for Northern Virginia on Tuesday is expected to be 101 (orange), with a moderate 100 (yellow) ozone level on Wednesday, as the smoke leaves the area, according to AirNow.

Expect to see widespread haze in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area under mostly sunny skies on Monday afternoon, with a high near 94, according to the National Weather Service. The haze will continue into the evening under partly cloudy skies, with a low of 72.

The following is the five-day forecast for the Washington, D.C. region from the National Weather Service.

Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Widespread haze before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 90.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 91.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.