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Air Quality

Police & Fire
Raging Wildfires Scorch Pennsylvania, Threaten Communities as Containment Efforts Continue Raging Wildfires Scorch Pennsylvania, Threaten Communities as Containment Efforts Continue
Raging Wildfires Scorch Pennsylvania, Threaten Communities as Containment Efforts Continue Pennsylvania has been dealing with significant wildfire activity, with several blazes impacting different parts of the state as of Sunday, Nov. 10. Blue Mountain Fire, Northampton County: This major wildfire erupted near the Lehigh Gap and scorched approximately 600 acres. As of Nov. 7, officials reported that the fire was 100% contained, preventing further spread. Crews worked tirelessly to secure the area and protect surrounding communities. Governor Josh Shapiro wrote in a release on the fire:  "Thank you to all of our first responders who worked around the clock to battle the Blue Moun…

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by Jillian Pikora
Weather
Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead
Smoky Skies To Stay For Summer? Forecasters Say More Hazy Days Are Ahead The July 4th weekend has arrived, but chances are the smell of smoke outside isn't coming from barbecues — and according to forecasters, there's even more ahead. The air quality on Saturday, July 1 was slightly better than it was earlier in the week, with AQIs average in the 120s and code orange and yellows issued — as opposed to purple and red — across the region. Slowly, slowly, the smoke was starting to disperse. However, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson is confident, it will be back. "I do believe this will go down as the summer of smoke and haze for much of Canada and …

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by Cecilia Levine
Weather
Incoming Storm Means Slight Air Quality Improvement Along East Coast, Forecasters Say Incoming Storm Means Slight Air Quality Improvement Along East Coast, Forecasters Say
Incoming Storm Means Slight Air Quality Improvement Along East Coast, Forecasters Say A weekend storm could slightly help improve the Canadian wildfire smoke still lingering along the East Coast, meteorologists are saying. While skies will be sunny with a high in the mid-80s on Friday, June 30, they'll also be hazy for most of the day, according to the National Weather Service. The Air Quality Index remained in the triple digits along East Coast of 9:15 a.m., with code red issued across much of the area. In Pittsburgh, air quality levels remained very unhealthy, according to AccuWeather's Plume Labs. Worst air quality in this batch is just northwest of us and some spots…

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by Cecilia Levine
Weather
These Maps Show Realtime Smoke, Air Quality As Canadian Wildfires Rage These Maps Show Realtime Smoke, Air Quality As Canadian Wildfires Rage
These Maps Show Realtime Smoke, Air Quality As Canadian Wildfires Rage Can't tell if it's smoke or cloudy skies above? The following realtime configurations and air quality maps won't have you guessing anymore. A realtime configuration from Fire Smoke Canada — the Canadian portal for information about wildland fire weather and smoke — shows exactly where each of the more than 150 wildfires are raging and predicts roughly how heavy the smoke will be and where. The New York Times, meanwhile, has a similar smoke forecast map that indicates light, medium, or high levels of smoke from the fires, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The rea…

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by Cecilia Levine
Weather
Smoky Summer: Could Week Of Wildfires Be Preview Of What's Ahead? Smoky Summer: Could Week Of Wildfires Be Preview Of What's Ahead?
Smoky Summer: Could Week Of Wildfires Be Preview Of What's Ahead? Are this week's smoky skies a preview of Summer 2023 in the Northeast? According to U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey, that depends. Ramsey is quoted by CBS New York saying "it's really just going be all about the wind shift." According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson, the Canadian wildfires are showing no signs of slowing down and will "likely continue to burn over Quebec into the summer, as they are in remote, heavily wooded areas," he said. But, if what Ramsey is saying is true, then raging fires in Canada — and locally, for that matter — …

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by Cecilia Levine
Weather
Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area As Canadian Wildfires Burn Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area As Canadian Wildfires Burn
Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area As Canadian Wildfires Burn Widespread smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to bring hazardous air quality levels across the region. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of fine particulates again on Thursday, June 8, according to the National Weather Service.   Check air quality conditions in your area, visit AirNow.gov by clicking here. "The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern," said the weather service. ALSO SEE: Smoke Relief Coming Next Week, Unhealthy Air Quality Here To Stay (Mostl…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Smoke Relief Coming Next Week, Unhealthy Air Quality Here To Stay (Mostly) Until Then Smoke Relief Coming Next Week, Unhealthy Air Quality Here To Stay (Mostly) Until Then
Smoke Relief Coming Next Week, Unhealthy Air Quality Here To Stay (Mostly) Until Then Looks like the East Coast has a smoky few days in store. But fear not, relief is allegedly on the way. As of Thursday, June 8, levels in North Jersey were considered very unhealthy and in greater Philadelphia/the Lehigh Valley were considered hazardous. Levels in the Baltimore and Washington DC area were also considered very unhealthy as of Thursday morning. ALSO SEE: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area As Canadian Wildfires Burn Canadian wildfire smoke expends south Thursday and Friday.AccuWeather Smoke improvement forecast from AccuWeather.AccuWeather Areas around New Yor…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
UPDATE: Massive Passaic Warehouse Blaze Stopped From Reaching 50 Tons Of Chlorine UPDATE: Massive Passaic Warehouse Blaze Stopped From Reaching 50 Tons Of Chlorine
Update: Massive Passaic Warehouse Blaze Stopped From Reaching 50 Tons Of Chlorine UPDATE: Authorities on Saturday said they'd finally gotten a massive industrial complex fire in Passaic under control nearly a dozen hours after it broke out. More than 200 firefighters fought the 11-alarm blaze, which forced evacuations of nearby homes, sent potentially dangerous smoke into the air and prompted officials to urge residents to keep their windows closed. The smoke reportedly was spotted on weather radar. Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora called the fire “the worst that I’ve ever seen.” Fortunately, he said, firefighters were able to keep the flames from releasing toxic fume…

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by Jerry DeMarco