Hazardous air quality levels due to wildfire smoke have been reported in the D.C. region, prompting cancellations of outdoor activities across Fairfax County.
Early this morning (Friday), the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) issued a Code Purple Air Quality Advisory for the region after conditions considered “very unhealthy” for everyone were recorded in D.C., Northern Virginia and parts of suburban Maryland by 9 a.m.
“Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada is contributing to the increased levels of fine particle pollution,” COG said, advising sensitive individuals, including older adults, children and people with respiratory challenges, to avoid all outdoor physical activity and “healthy” individuals to avoid long or intense outdoor activities.
The advisory was elevated from the Code Red or unhealthy air alert anticipated yesterday by COG and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
While DEQ is still listing the “forecast” for today as a Code Red, the air quality index (AQI) reached maroon or hazardous levels this morning in parts of Northern Virginia. Sensors have detected AQI as high as 413 in Vienna, 342 in West Springfield, 332 in Reston and 321 in the Fair Oaks area, according to AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map.
As of 10 a.m., the AQI for Fairfax was 276, which is in the very unhealthy purple range, per AirNow. Values of 301 or higher are maroon or hazardous.
Those levels of particulate matter exceed the maximum 273 AQI observed in D.C. during June 2023, when the region was last blanketed by significant wildfire smoke, Capital Weather reported. The District’s air quality was the third worst in the world, as of 10 a.m., ranking behind only Detroit and Chicago, per IQAir.
Outdoor activities, events canceled
Due to the poor air quality, Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities on its grounds today, including recess, team practices, extracurricular activities and programs organized by community groups.
The Fairfax County Park Authority announced that its outdoor swimming pools and water parks are closed, as are all marinas and amusements. Outdoor summer camps and classes that can’t be adapted to indoor facilities have been canceled.
Reston Association will close all of its swimming pools at noon today because of the “unhealthy air quality.”
“This is in the interest of both our staff and our members,” RA said.
In addition, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) has suspended waste collection services for today, stating that customers who typically get pickups on Fridays will instead be served tomorrow (Saturday). The I-95 Landfill Complex is closed today, though Reworld’s I-95 Energy Resource Recovery Facility remains open for commercial customers.
Due to the Hazardous Air Quality Weather Advisory, all Fairfax County solid waste collection services are suspended today (Fri., July 17). No collections today. Friday customers will be serviced Sat. I-95 Landfill Complex is closed today; Reworld remains open for commercial waste pic.twitter.com/HIE9Toa6lw
— Fairfax County Public Works (@ffxpublicworks) July 17, 2026
With Code Maroon air quality levels reported in the area, the Town of Vienna has canceled tonight’s Chillin’ on Church block party, and there will be no Vienna Farmers Market tomorrow.
“Everyone is encouraged to limit outdoor activities until air quality improves,” the town said.
Vienna’s sanitation crews had already adjusted their schedules to pick up trash and recycling earlier than usual from Wednesday (July 15) through today due to anticipated heat risks.
Tonight’s performance by Herr Metal in Herndon as part of the popular Friday Night Live! concert series has also been nixed, organizers announced.
“We are incredibly disappointed to make this call, especially since Herr Metal is such a crowd favorite,” Friday Night Live! Chairman Laura Poindexter said in a message to supporters. “With local conditions already very unhealthy and expected to reach hazardous levels by showtime, we are making this call now so our performers, vendors, volunteers, and attendees can plan accordingly and stay safely indoors.”
The opening concert in the free summer series on May 22 was also canceled due to expected rain.
In light of the cancellation, Poindexter encouraged patrons to support the local restaurants that serve as food vendors and sponsors for the series, which is produced by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. This year’s vendors include Dairy Queen, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, Toriz’s Tacos, Wiseguy Pizza, Mile 20 at Mediterranean Breeze and Ned Devine’s Irish Gastro Pub & Restaurant.
Health effects of wildfire smoke can be deadly
The Virginia Department of Transportation’s traffic camera videos and photos shared by Fairfax County show a smoggy haze obscuring visibility from the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Tysons to Reston Town Center.
Photos of the wildfire smoke this morning in Reston. Remember, there's a Code Red Air Quality alert today, which means the air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
Monitor air quality levels as they will change throughout the day: https://t.co/nu5iU5MwKL pic.twitter.com/Yq4tWIlfbc
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) July 17, 2026
According to COG, everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke, which can cause respiratory issues as well as more serious health impacts.
Pollutants from wildfire smoke attack the body immediately, spiking asthma cases with increased ambulance runs within hours, swamps emergency rooms in a day or so with people suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular and lung issues, as well as mental health issues, doctors and scientists told The Associated Press.
Smoke also harms pregnant women, increasing the risk of premature births and low-weight babies who could have breathing problems the rest of their lives, doctors and studies say. And then there are long-term risks connecting prolonged smoke and other air pollution exposure to some cancers and dementia.
On average 24,100 people died each year in the Lower 48 states between 2006 and 2020 due to long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke, according to a study this year in the journal Science Advances. A Stanford study projects that U.S. wildfire smoke deaths will increase with climate change and by midcentury hit an annual cost of $244 billion in terms of the economic value the government puts on each life.
On a global scale, wildfire smoke particles cause 677,745 deaths annually, with almost 39% of them children under age 5, according to a 2021 study that combined observations, studies on how the body responds to the particles and computer models to calculate the toll.
The biggest nonlethal effects have to do with the way people breathe, especially those with asthma.
More tips for dealing with wildfire smoke:
The AirNow website recommends the following during wildfire events:
- Take it easier during smoky times. If you can see or smell smoke, avoid strenuous activities such as mowing the lawn or going for a run.
- Reschedule outdoor work tasks and activities to a time when air quality improves.
If outdoor tasks and activities cannot be rescheduled and must be conducted when air quality is poor, it is recommended that individuals reduce smoke inhalation by:
- Limiting the time spent outdoors by only performing essential activities.
- Taking frequent breaks indoors in places where the air is clean, especially during periods with high outdoor levels of wildfire smoke.
- If you must work outdoors, choosing a mask that will protect you like an N95 respirator mask. Cloth masks will not protect you from wildfire smoke.
- Using a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms. If you have a central air system in your home, use it to filter the air.
On unhealthy air days, COG advises area residents to take the following actions:
- Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
- Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal.
- Fill your vehicles’ gas tank after sunset.
- Take transit, carpool, or work from home.
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
