On May 30, the Department of Environmental Protection announced an easterly wind is forecasted to transport smoke from a large wildfire in southern Nova Scotia that will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Wednesday, May 31 in these areas of Pennsylvania--

-- Philadelphia Area, which includes the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia;

-- Lehigh Valley-Berks Area, which includes the counties of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton; and

-- Susquehanna Valley Area, which includes the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.

On an Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by--

-- Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;

-- Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and

-- Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

For more information, visit DEP's Air Quality Partners webpage and EPA's AirNow webpage.

NewsClips:

-- KYW: Canada Wildfire Could Impact Philadelphia Area: Check The Smoke Map

-- MCall: Wildfire In Canada Prompts Air Quality Alert For Lehigh Valley

-- Inquirer: Wildfire Smoke From Nova Scotia In Air Over Philly This Week May Be Unprecedented

-- AP: Wildfire In Nova Scotia Spurs Evacuation Of 16,000 People

[Posted: May 30, 2023]

6/5/2023