CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County residents woke to hazy skies and reduced air quality Wednesday as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed central Pennsylvania, prompting an orange air quality alert from the National Weather Service. However, air conditions have now returned to ‘moderate.’
The alert, in effect until midnight, warned that air quality could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The state Department of Environmental Protection urged residents to limit outdoor activities, particularly in northeastern parts of the state where smoke concentrations are highest.
“A high-pressure system from Quebec is keeping conditions dry, but it’s also trapping wildfire smoke across the region,” said Joe Bauco, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College. Temperatures in Franklin County stretched into the upper 70s and low 80s Wednesday, with visibility reduced due to elevated particulate matter levels.
The DEP recommends avoiding gas-powered lawn equipment, burning leaves or trash, and using fireplaces or wood stoves to help reduce local air pollution when these conditions are in place. Businesses and residents are encouraged to take voluntary steps to limit fine particulate matter.
While relief flowed in Thursday, bringing air to moderate and less hazardous, Bauco ongoing wildfires in Canada could continue to affect air quality. “As long as those fires are burning, there’s a chance smoke will drift south,” he added.
The DEP and NWS advise residents to stay informed through air quality alerts on the DEP’s website and NWS updates. Franklin County residents are encouraged to monitor conditions closely, especially if they fall within vulnerable groups.
