Wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert for parts of Pennsylvania

(WHTM) — Parts of Pennsylvania will be dealing with wildfire smoke and the subsequent air quality impacts Monday, prompting a Code Orange alert.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says they expect smoke from wildfires in central Canada to push into northern Pennsylvania, including northwestern Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Wilds, and northeastern Pennsylvania.

DEP issued a code orange air quality action day for 20 counties as a result.

Fine particulate matter pollution, DEP says, will be in the code orange range and sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions, should avoid heavy outdoor activity.

You can check the air quality in your area at www.airnow.gov.

Counties under the code orange alert include:

• Bradford
• Cameron
• Clinton
• Crawford
• Elk
• Erie
• Forest
• Lackawanna
• Luzerne
• Lycoming
• McKean
• Mercer
• Potter
• Sullivan
• Susquehanna
• Tioga
• Venango
• Warren
• Wayne
• Wyoming

DEP says residents and businesses are encouraged to help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment;
• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use