(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) Smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada has introduced unhealthy levels of air pollution in the D.C. area.
A Code Red Air Quality Alert has been issued for the entire region, including Fairfax County, signaling that the air is unhealthy for everyone today (Wednesday), according to AirNow.
AirNow collects official air quality data reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other federal, state and local agencies.
Code Red Air Quality Alert 🚨
Due to the wildfires in Canada, a Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for Wednesday, June 7, which means air quality is unhealthy for everyone in Fairfax County and the region.
Learn more: https://t.co/dMPpgsD1t5 pic.twitter.com/No8JfjQrYF
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) June 7, 2023
Fairfax County is advising residents to limit the time they spend outside, particularly if they’re vulnerable to breathing or lung issues:
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short.
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks- park your car and go inside.
- Combine trips.
Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks- park your car and go inside.
- Re-fuel your vehicle after dark.
- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
- Be active outdoors when air quality is better.
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities until 6 p.m. and implemented indoor recess, spokesperson Julie Moult confirmed to FFXnow, adding that all information will be posted to the school system’s website.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw noted that, around 10 a.m., the air quality in Fairfax had actually tipped over into very unhealthy Code Purple territory due to the amount of particulate matter in the air, as measured by the EPA’s Air Quality Index, according to AirNow.
A Code Orange was previously anticipated for today, as smoke from wildfires in Quebec blankets the East Coast.
According to AirNow, the Code Red could be extended into tomorrow (Thursday) with a Code Orange forecast for Friday (June 9).
⚠️ Conditions are hazardous to everyone's health.
Please reduce time spent outdoors as much as possible and follow local media for additional guidance – this account will share updates as they come in. Stay safe everyone.
— Supervisor James Walkinshaw (@JRWalkinshaw) June 7, 2023
Recent Stories
Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier…
Local morning commuters can save on gas and win a free t-shirt when Bike to Work Day returns to Fairfax County this month. The 23rd annual Bike to Work Day…
Local golf professional Larkin Gross has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he will face off with some of the U.S.’s top male golfers in two…
The push to rename Reston’s Shadowood Recreation Area has reached a new phase with the launch of an online survey. Reston Association announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it’s officially…
The Blue Swallow Farm Foundation is holding an online auction to celebrate three years of helping students and educators in outdoor instruction. We invite you to participate in our online auction to support our mission of providing authentic, outdoor experiences for children. This event not only serves as a fundraiser for our initiatives but also as an opportunity for you to acquire unique items and experiences while making a positive difference in the lives of students and educators. You can preview auction items and then register as a bidder. Bidding will begin on May 4. The bids will close on May 8. Proceeds will assist us in helping educators build outdoor classrooms, developing high-quality curriculum materials and professional development workshops, sending teachers and students to environmental youth summits, and assessing the benefits of outdoor learning.
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride
Join us on Saturday, May 11th and ride into spring during our Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride. Back for its second year, Pedal with Petals is going to be bigger than ever. This year’s event will include both an
Encore Creativity for Older Adults at Capital One Hall
Encore Creativity for Older Adults is pleased to raise the curtain and welcome community members to its spring concert at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA on May 4, 2024. The concert, which starts at 3 PM, will bring hundreds