SOLOMONS, Md. — Maryland’s air quality alert has moved from “orange” to “red” for Friday, July 17, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
The poor air quality is the result of wildfire smoke traveling down from Canada, where there are currently hundreds of active wildfires in western Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Smoke conditions on the East Coast of the United States are most likely from the fires near Quebec.
The Department of Health said on its website that this Air Quality Index (AQI) rating is due to a smoke event associated with both ozone and fine particles. A cold front will move south Thursday night and Friday morning, ushering in a significant amount of smoke into Maryland that will persist all day Friday due to weak, recirculating winds.
The red/unhealthy AQI is statewide, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. There is the possibility that the conditions will worsen, moving Maryland into purple or “very unhealthy” as the weekend continues. Some regions may already have Purple ratings.
A red air quality alert means the air is classified as “unhealthy,” meaning “some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”
Sensitive groups, as identified by the Maryland Department of Health and the EPA, can include:
- Children.
- Older adults.
- People with asthma or other lung diseases.
- People with heart disease.
- Pregnant people who have been advised by their health care provider to limit exposure to poor air quality.
Maryland residents can protect themselves by keeping doors and windows closed while inside, avoiding heavy or prolonged outdoor activities, and staying indoors as much as possible. People in sensitive groups should consult their health care provider if they have any concerns.
Learn more about what air quality levels mean, how to stay informed, and get the latest updates on air quality at AirNow.gov.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
