What to Know
- The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team issued a First Alert for unhealthy air conditions through Thursday that are being caused by wildfire smoke from Canada.
- People were urged to consider wearing a mask outdoors and limit time outside due to the hazardous air conditions.
- The Philadelphia Health Department said its "recommending" that groups and event planners "consider postponing them for everyone’s safety."
An air quality alert for the entire Philadelphia area continued for days due to a blanket of smoke from Canadian wildfires causing hazy conditions throughout the region. But it was improving on Friday morning.
You could smell and see the smoke in the air. As of Thursday morning, the worst of it was over Philadelphia and surrounding communities as they entered the "hazardous" level.
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The Philadelphia Health Department said the particles in the air Thursday were unhealthy, but appeared to be improving.
The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team issued a First Alert through Thursday night due to the unhealthy air conditions for everyone. By Friday morning, the First Alert had expired.
Here's what you need to know to keep you and your family safe:
Air quality alert 😷
On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it's a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange and gray.
A haze could be seen as the sun set Tuesday evening over the Philadelphia region. It continued through Wednesday and into Thursday. It was in the hazardous range by Thursday morning.
As of Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index in Philadelphia, and surrounding areas went above 400. Many communities started the day at the maroon/hazardous level -- meaning readings were over 300. By 8 a.m. some of the western Pennsylvania suburbs remained shrouded with AQI's above 400.
By late Thursday morning, Philadelphia and surrounding communities remained at the very unhealthy air quality level. The westernmost neighborhoods were near the hazardous territory. By early afternoon, the AQI was back under 200 -- at the unhealthy red level.
By early Friday morning, most of the region was in the orange AQI zone, under 150. Most places were into the yellow zone -- below 100 -- by late morning. In that range, the air is still considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
A healthy air quality is 50 or less.
Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said Thursday afternoon that the AQI could continue to fluctuate in the hours and days ahead and that people should wear a mask outdoors and not do strenuous activities outside.
The hazy wildfire smoke over Philadelphia and the surrounding communities is coming from wildfires burning in Quebec, Canada, and leading to decreased air quality in the form of code red and orange alerts as thicker smoke spread southward.
What do code orange and red alerts mean?
The threat level in Pennsylvania and New Jersey were at code red Thursday, while the threat improved to code orange in Delaware, according to the National Weather Service. By Friday morning, each of the tri-state regions were in a code orange.
On Friday, the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly office tweeted that conditions should "continue to improve."
"We will see some improvement today, though Air Quality Alerts remain in effect throughout the region," the tweet said.
"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the National Weather Service. "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."
By late Wednesday morning, the air quality alert was increased to a code red throughout the Philadelphia region.
"A code red air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthful for the general population," the National Weather Service said. "The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors."
When might the skies clear?
The air is improving Friday. Some hazy conditions could linger into the weekend, though the AQI is not expected to have nearly he intensity we saw Wednesday and Thursday.
Chances for rain increase on Friday, which could also help. Widespread rain showers that are expected on Monday could finally clear everything out.
Safety recommendations
The code orange air quality alert remained in effect for the entire region Friday. That is down from the code red status seen Wednesday and Thursday.
The Philadelphia Department of Health provided the following recommendations for residents during the most serious code red alert:
- Strongly consider cancelling outdoor events and gatherings.
- Avoid going outdoors as much as possible.
- Avoid excessive activities outdoors, such as jogging or exercising.
- If you have to go outdoors, wear a high quality mask, like an N-95 or KN-95.
- Avoid areas of high congestion and where air pollution may be high, like main streets or highways, areas with low air circulation.
- Close all windows and doors to minimize air pollution in your home.
- Recirculate the air in your home with fans to avoid bringing more air pollution into your home.
- Pay attention to their bodies; if they are having trouble breathing, feeling nauseous, or dizzy, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
While the air may be hazardous for all residents it's especially dangerous for sensitive groups, including children, elderly people, pregnant people and those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions.
The Health Department gave the following recommendations for residents to help reduce pollution in the city.
- Avoid unnecessary trips in their cars
- Avoid idling
- Carpool when possible
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
Drivers should also take precautions to make sure they don't pull smoky air into their cars. NBC10 First Alert Traffic reporter Matt DeLucia suggests rolling up the windows and using the "recirculation" button on your A/C.
Need a face mask?
Still have some face masks laying around from the COVID pandemic? You may consider wearing one outside, according to officials.
Don't have a mask? Philadelphia has you covered.
"If residents need access to KN-95 masks, Health Department resource hubs are providing them
free of charge to residents," Philadelphia health officials said.
Those masks are available free of charge at five city resource hubs, police stations and firehouses.
Tips to protect pets
Pets are also vulnerable during the air alert. The American Veterinary Medical Association shared the following tips for owners to keep pets safe:
- Keep pets indoors and keep windows closed
- Birds should not be allowed outside
- Let dogs and cats outside only for brief bathroom breaks
- Avoid intense outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality
Poor air conditions lead to school changes, event postponements
The School District of Philadelphia called for recess and all outside activities to be "moved indoors if possible or canceled." They also announced Thursday evening that all schools will shift to virtual learning on Friday.
School crossing guards in Philadelphia also worked on a modified schedule Thursday and Friday and their time outside was cut back.
In the Camden City School District in New Jersey, all outdoor field trips were postponed and recess and gym classes were being held inside Wednesday and Thursday.
The Neshaminy School District in Bucks County even went to virtual learning on Thursday and Hamilton Township schools in Mercer County planned to dismiss early.
The Phillies moved their Wednesday game against the Tigers to 6:05 p.m. on Thursday. The Eagles on Thursday moved practice inside their bubble.
Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary closed Thursday due to the air conditions. They expected to return to normal on Friday.
On Thursday, the Center City District also closed its outdoor attractions, including Sisters Cities Park's Splash Pond the roller rink at Dilworth Park.
The hazy air even caused a Thursday morning ground stop for incoming flights to Philadelphia International Airport, but that was later lifted.
Check flight status before you head out by clicking here.
In Philadelphia city employees "out of an abundance of caution" were taken off outdoor jobs, Mayor Jim Kenney said. Trash collection and street paving were put on hold Thursday. People should put out trash to be collected Friday as crews work to pick up Thursday's delayed materials and the normal Friday pickups.
Outdoor programs and events at the city's parks and recreation sites were also canceled or moved indoors and after school programs were held indoors as well.
City recreation centers remained open to the public until 9 p.m. Thursday.
And, for drivers in Delaware, the state didn't have anyone collecting cash tolls Thursday.
As always, keep ahead of any weather threat by getting alerts on the NBC10 app (download it now), on NBC10.com and on NBC10 News.