DEP: Canadian wildfire smoke to create unhealthy pollution levels for some in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- Smoke from wildfires in Canada will create unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people in the Pittsburgh area on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said.
The DEP declared two code orange air quality action days for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties, meaning young children, older people and those with respiratory problems should limit outdoor activities.
On a code orange day, everyone is encouraged to reduce or eliminate fireplace and woodstove use, avoid open burning and avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment.
KDKA-TV First Alert Meteorologist Ray Petelin said the wildfire smoke is usually so high in the atmosphere above Pittsburgh that it does not cause issues at the surface. But with this smoke coming largely from Quebec, which is closer, the smoke is much closer to the surface when it arrives in our area.
Most of this smoke will stay high in the atmosphere, too, but when fine particulate matter from local emissions is factored in, concentrations will become elevated, leading an air quality alert.
On Monday, the smoke created a hazy sky. KDKA-TV First Alert Meteorologist Ray Petelin took a video showing the smoky skies over the Pittsburgh area.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shared an experimental high-resolution rapid refresh model on Twitter that predicts where the wildfire smoke in the atmosphere is expected to move through Monday night. It shows very heavy smoke over the east coast.
A wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes in Canada's Atlantic Coast province of Nova Scotia is now contained, while a second wildfire remains out of control, officials said Sunday.
Nova Scotia's natural resources department said the Tantallon fire northwest of Halifax is now under control, meaning it is not expected to grow but is not yet out.
The blaze broke out a week ago, forcing 16,000 people from their suburban homes and destroying some 200 structures, including 151 homes.
But in Shelburne County in southwest Nova Scotia the largest in the province's history continues to burn out of control. The blaze covered 97 square miles as of Sunday morning and has destroyed at least 50 homes and cottages.
On Saturday, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said the total number of active wildfires declined from 10 in the morning to five by mid-afternoon.
