RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a code red air quality alert until midnight across the Hampton Roads region.
The culprit is smoke from some 160 active Canadian wildfires that has blanketed the northeast and as far south as South Carolina.
An air quality alert means that fine particulates concentrations may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Air quality is expected to reach code red Thursday, and the DEQ
is urging people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion, it added.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned Thursday morning that reduced visibility from wildfire smoke would continue to impact air travel, particularly into New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Charlotte. Follow the FAA’s website for major updates.
Residents can monitor air quality reports on the Department of Environmental Quality website.
