Air quality in the Washington, D.C., area plummeted overnight as smoke from wildfires in Canada travels south into the United States.
The National Weather Service is advising that people in much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic should avoid outdoor activities on Wednesday because the air quality is unhealthy.
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“Wildfire smoke moving southward out of Canada and over the northern part of the country has triggered Air Quality Alerts over parts of the Northeast into the southern Mid-Atlantic,” the National Weather Service said on Wednesday.
AirNow rated the air quality in Washington, D.C., as “very unhealthy” at 10 a.m. local time, meaning that “the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.” The rating is the second highest on the six-category scale, below “hazardous.”
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and District Department of Energy and Environment issued a code red air quality alert just prior to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, advising residents to avoid outdoor exercise or strenuous activity.
“A Code Red Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthful for the general population. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors,” the alert said.
The National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington is advising that exposure to poor air quality can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and irritation in the eyes and throat, among other adverse reactions. They also recommend that “wearing a mask may help limit irritation for those suffering from respiratory illnesses.”
Very poor air quality today along with reduced visibility between 3-6 SM. It is recommended to limit time outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation for those suffering from respiratory illnesses. More smoke expected Thursday & Friday. #VAwx #MDwx #WVwx #DCwx pic.twitter.com/rJQHF76epo
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 7, 2023
Air quality in Washington, D.C., is expected to get worse later on Wednesday, with the evening having the worst air conditions of the day.
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Smoke is expected to remain in the Washington, D.C., area through Thursday and Friday.
More than 150 active wildfires in Quebec are fueling the smoke that has drifted south of the border in recent days, leading to adverse air conditions in New York City on Tuesday and poor air quality in the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
