07/16/2026
DEP Declares Statewide Code Red Air Quality Alert for Today
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will be entering Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and pushing into southern counties Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, creating Code Red concentrations of PM2.5. Residents are strongly encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.
During Code Red Air Quality Alerts, all residents should consider limiting their outdoor activities, and sensitive groups, such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses, should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving activities indoors.
Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Alert areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment;
• Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; and
• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials
Click here for the press release.
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