The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Venango, Forest, Crawford, Mercer, and Warren counties due to wildfire smoke drifting in from central Canada. The smoke is raising levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), posing health risks to sensitive groups like children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions. These groups are advised to limit outdoor activity. Residents are encouraged to monitor current air conditions at http://www.airnow.gov and to help reduce pollution by limiting gas-powered equipment use, open burning, and wood stove or fireplace use. Additional counties affected include Erie, McKean, Elk, and several others across northern and central Pennsylvania. The EPA’s air quality index categorizes air quality, with orange indicating potentially unhealthy conditions for sensitive individuals. Action Days are declared when the index reaches orange or higher.
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