The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued the alert Wednesday afternoon for all of central Pennsylvania. Smoke from wildfires in Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota is expected to move across the Commonwealth from north to south and linger through Friday.
A Code Red designation means air quality is considered unhealthy. Everyone may experience health effects, while children, older adults, people with heart or lung conditions, and others in sensitive groups could experience more serious effects.
Residents are encouraged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity Thursday. Those who must spend time outside should take frequent breaks and move indoors if they experience coughing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or unusual fatigue.
Conditions are expected to improve somewhat Friday, when a Code Orange Air Quality Alert will remain in effect. Under Code Orange conditions, the air may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
Wildfire smoke may also produce hazy skies and reduce visibility across the region through Friday.
The other counties included in this alert are:
- Adams
- Bedford
- Blair
- Cambria
- Cameron
- Centre
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Cumberland
- Dauphin
- Elk
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Huntingdon
- Juniata
- Lancaster
- Lebanon
- Lycoming
- McKean
- Mifflin
- Montour
- Northumberland
- Perry
- Potter
- Snyder
- Somerset
- Sullivan
- Tioga
- Union
- Warren
- York