CHAMBERSBURG— The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Franklin County and surrounding areas on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, due to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from Canadian wildfire smoke. The alert, signaling unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, prompted local officials to urge residents to take precautions.
Light southeasterly winds limited pollutant dispersion, allowing smoke to linger across Franklin County throughout the day. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached Code Orange levels, indicating potential health risks for children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis. Authorities recommended that these groups avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Franklin County residents were encouraged to reduce air pollution by avoiding gas-powered lawn equipment, refraining from open burning of leaves or trash, and limiting fireplace or wood stove use. Local health officials directed residents to monitor real-time air quality updates at www.airnow.gov.
The Code Orange designation, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AQI system, indicates air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups but not yet at the Red level, which warns of broader health risks. Franklin County Emergency Management advised residents to stay informed and take voluntary steps to minimize pollution.
For more details, visit www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb or www.airnow.gov.
