Thursday, July 16, 2026 is a Code Red Air Quality Caution Day for particulate matter. This means that some people may <a href="https://healthylife7.com/why-some-lean-and-healthy-people-still-experience-blood-sugar-spikes/” title=”Why some lean and healthy people still experience blood sugar spikes”>experience health effects from particulate matter in the air due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, children, pregnant people, immunocompromised people, people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, people without access to air filtration, and outdoor workers.
Sensitive groups: Check for symptoms, including trouble breathing, nausea, and dizziness. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Avoid prolonged (greater than one hour) or intense outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors
Everyone else: Reduce prolonged (greater than one hour) or intense outdoor activities. Take more breaks during outdoor activities
- Stay inside with doors and windows closed.
- If you are using air conditioning, set it to recirculate mode. If your air conditioner does not have a recirculation mode, turn it off.
- Avoid activities that create more particulate matter indoors, including:
- Smoking and vaping.
- Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
- Spraying aerosol products.
- Frying or broiling food.
- Burning candles or incense.
- Vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in hot weather. If you are hot, go somewhere with air conditioning
Updates to City Services
All City services are operating normally
Know Your Risk
To see the current air quality at the City’s air quality monitors near you, please visit www.phila.gov/breathephilly
Stay Informed
Follow the Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management on social media. For the latest updates, sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA to 888-777, or by visiting www.phila.gov/ready
What’s Going On?
Wildfires in Canada have blown smoke south into the United States. This smoke is just now reaching Philadelphia and making our air quality worse. This is forecast to be a short event
Who Is at Risk?
Everyone is at some risk from the air quality during this Code Red. Members of sensitive groups are at higher risk of health impacts from poor air quality. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease, older adults, children, people experiencing homelessness, people without access to air filtration, people who are pregnant, and outdoor workers
How Long Will This Last?
The air quality is forecast to improve on Friday, July 17 and get back to normal by the weekend
