AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a
Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert for all of northeast Pennsylvania on
Thursday due to widespread smoke impacting the state from forest
fires across eastern Canada.
A Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people
suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
You can find more air quality information at fire.airnow.gov.
As of 4am the current Air Quality Index is 222, unhealthy. Good range is 0 to 50.
The smoky conditions caused many disruptions yesterday throughout the area. Health officials recommended limiting or reducing activities out doors. Numerous schools dismissed students early. Graduation ceremonies at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth were postponed and rescheduled for this evening. The city of Scranton suspended garbage and recycling pickup yesterday and hope to resume collections today. Restaurants closed their outdoor dining sections. The Scranton Wilkes Barre Rail Riders and Norfolk Tides are going to try once again this evening to begin their series at PNC Stadium in Moosic and postponed games Tuesday and Wednesday.
The smoky conditions could change graduation ceremonies at Hazleton Area High School. Superintendent Brian Uplinger expects to announce a decision on the graduation planned for Friday sometime between 9 and 10 this morning. If that happens it would be moved to either Saturday or Sunday and could be moved indoors to the school's gym.