Code Red: Philadelphia city pools closed Thursday as unhealthy air quality continues in Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA - As smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to cause unhealthy air quality throughout Pennsylvania, Philadelphia officials are urging people to take precautions.
On Wednesday, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Red for the entire state as conditions degraded.
>> Code Red: Unhealthy air quality alert declared for all of Pennsylvania amid Canadian wildfires
The smoke is expected to impact the air quality Thursday and Friday, with some relief possible on Saturday.
The City of Philadelphia has urged residents to act with an abundance of caution to keep people safe.
RELATED COVERAGE
- Philadelphia air quality: Streets empty as residents heed Code Red Alert
- Smoke from Canada wildfires increasing health risks in Black, poorer communities in US
- How is air quality measured?
"The City will remain open today; however, in light of the continued air quality alert, and in an abundance of caution, departments and employees are urged to take actions to protect their staff, including allowing staff that can work indoors to do so, providing high-quality masks to staff who must work outdoors, and allowing more frequent breaks for staff working outdoors."
Officials say summer camps run by the City will move all activities indoors and all city pools will be closed.
For those who cannot work indoors, the City is urging mask-wearing and free masks will be available at the following locations:
- Bethany Baptist Church - 5747 Warrington Avenue
- Mi Salud Wellness Center - 200 E Wyoming Avenue
- Mt. Enon Baptist Church - 500 Snyder Avenue
- Whitman Plaza - 330 W Oregon Avenue
- Shoppes at La Salle - 5301 Chew Avenue
- All Philadelphia police districts
- Philadelphia fire departments
Residents can receive two masks per person and may get supplies for a person at home who cannot make it themselves.
Visit airnow.gov for more information on air quality in your area.
While all of Pennsylvania and Delaware were issued a Code Red for unhealthy air quality, New Jersey is under a Code Orange alert.
That alert altered summer day camps and activities for the children involved.
At Tall Pines Day Camp, in Williamstown, there were some outdoor activities, but reduced physical exercise was in place so campers didn’t over do.
"We’re lucky to have about 50,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space so any open indoor vacancy, we’ve used and moved groups in. We also reduced the time kids are on the fields," Andrew Yankowitz said.