The Northern Virginia region is experiencing very unhealthy levels of air quality due to widespread wildfires in Canada.
Friday morning, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) issued a code purple alert for the entire NoVA and DC area. This is an upgrade from the previous code red.
Under a code purple warning, sensitive groups are advised to avoid all physical activity outdoors. Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality is advising that people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
According to the Associated Press, more than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, and winds are carrying the smoke southeast. On Wednesday, warnings of unhealthy air conditions extended from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York.
Smoke began to arrive in the DC area on Tuesday in low concentrations, but it remained high enough in the atmosphere that impacts were minimal. Conditions worsened through Wednesday and Thursday.
Capital Weather predicts that conditions in the region could “get worse before it gets better.” Weather models show that the smoke will remain through the day, and light wind flow could “allow it to pool up a bit east of the Appalachians.
Recommendation to Avoid Exposure
On days with low air quality, COG and AirNow recommend that individuals avoid strenuous activities like running or mowing the lawn, and reschedule outdoor work tasks. If they cannot be rescheduled:
- Limit time outdoors by only performing essential activities
- Wear an N95 respirator mask (cloth masks will not help)
- Use a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms. If you have a central air system in your home, use it to filter the air.
- Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
- Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal.
- Fill your vehicles’ gas tank after sunset.
Some outdoor events in the region may be rescheduled or cancelled due to the air conditions. For example, Mega Ran’s Friday performance at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods was cancelled due to the weather conditions.
Feature image of smoke on Route 50 in Chantilly by Maggie Roth
