LIVE Updates: Code Purple air quality alert issued for PA as Canadian wildfire smoke blankets area

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Purple air quality alert for Friday as smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota continues to blanket the area and create unhealthy conditions. 

The DEP says wildfire smoke will blanket Pennsylvania on Friday, creating Code Purple concentrations of PM2.5. This means air quality will be unhealthy for everyone, not just sensitive groups.

All residents are encouraged to avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid all outdoor activities. The DEP also encourages everyone to move activities indoors.

The DEP recommends checking www.airnow.gov for real-time air quality updates, as local conditions may be more severe (Code Maroon) or less severe (Code Red or Code Orange) depending on your location.