DEP upgrades air quality alert to a Code Red. What it means for Bucks County

Damon C. Williams, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·3 min read

As air quality continues to be impacted by Canadian wildfire, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Friday afternoon upgraded its warning from a Code Orange to a Code Red, alerting residents that conditions will persist at least through the day.

The good news is the DEP says conditions are improving overall, and there should be noticeable clearing on Saturday.

In the meantime, the Code Red Air Quality Action Day will continue, and precautions still need to be taken.

Here's what it means to you:

A person cycles past the skyline in Philadelphia shrouded in haze, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.
A person cycles past the skyline in Philadelphia shrouded in haze, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.

Canada wildfires causes air quality issues in PA, Bucks County

According to the DEP, air quality conditions degraded overnight as more smoke from the wildfires pushed into the state from the Great Lakes region.

The DEP noted that individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are particularly vulnerable, and are advised to limit outdoor activities and physical exertion.

The DEP also advises people to avoid the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; the DEP also advises against using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also released a tipsheet on dealing with the smoky air.

Canadian wildfire air quality impact: Is the air quality in Bucks County improving today? And is it safe to go outside yet?

A person wearing a protective face mask walks past the skyline in Philadelphia shrouded in haze, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.
A person wearing a protective face mask walks past the skyline in Philadelphia shrouded in haze, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.

The DEP also noted that conditions may be worse in the mornings, as atmospheric conditions will keep smoke-filled air closer to the surface, and prevent air from higher elevations to mix with air closer to the ground.

Smoky air impacts first responders: Hospitals seeing more smoke-related visits; PennDOT, others keeping workers inside

What is the air quality in Bucks County today?

There are four different grades to the Air Quality Index.

According to the DEP, green signifies good air quality; yellow means moderate air quality; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

The DEP warned of red and purple days this week.

On a Code Red 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 avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion."

"In Code Purple conditions, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion," according to the DEP.

An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher.

Readers can check their location's air quality in real-time.

On Thursday morning, much of Lower Bucks County, including Levittown, Bristol, and Falls, reported moderate air quality with warnings for sensitive or vulnerable groups, such as seniors.

Central and Upper Bucks County, including Doylestown and Quakertown, was in Code Red with unhealthy condition warnings.

Tips to stay safe when the air quality is poor

The American Lung Association offers these tips for people to avoid lung irritation and health complications due to increased air pollution:

  • Stay indoors. People living close to the fire-stricken areas should remain indoors and avoid breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area.

  • Protect the air in your home. Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting.

  • Keep an eye on symptoms. Higher levels of smoke in some areas can make breathing more difficult. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

  • Take precautions for kids. Extra precaution should be taken for children and teens, who are more susceptible to smoke. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air (and consequently more pollution) for their size than adults.

  • Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect yourself during wildfires.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What is the air quality today? Code Red alert issued for PA, Bucks