Area wilting under Code Red alert with 102 degrees expected

Area health officials on Monday issued the first Code Red air quality alert in nearly two years, as a vicious one-two punch of heat and humidity — expected to last much of the week — pummeled the region.

A Code Red alert, which officials issued from now through Wednesday, indicates air quality is unhealthy for everyone and people should keep outdoor activity to a minimum, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.