07/16/2026
🚨 Air Quality Alert for Westmoreland County & Surrounding Areas
Smoke from large wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota has pushed unhealthy air into our region.
🔴 TODAY (Thursday, July 16): Code RED Air Quality Alert
Today’s air is unhealthy for everyone—not just people with asthma or other medical conditions.
Take these precautions today:
• Skip outdoor workouts, sports, and other strenuous activities.
• Keep windows and doors closed. If you have air conditioning, use it to help keep indoor air cleaner.
• Keep children, older adults, and anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other breathing conditions indoors.
• Bring pets inside as much as possible and keep walks short.
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🟣 FRIDAY (July 17): Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert Expected
Forecasts indicate air quality could deteriorate even further tomorrow, reaching Code Purple, which is considered very unhealthy. At this level, smoke can affect everyone’s health.
Plan ahead now:
• Stay indoors whenever possible and postpone outdoor activities, practices, and events.
• If you have to be outside, keep your time outdoors as short as possible. An N95 or KN95 mask can help reduce exposure to harmful smoke particles.
• Cut back on unnecessary driving and other activities that contribute to air pollution.
• Check in on family members, neighbors, and friends—especially older adults and those with heart or lung conditions.
• Keep children and pets indoors.
⚠️ If you or someone around you develops difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe coughing, or other serious symptoms, call 911 immediately.
For real-time air quality updates, visit AirNow.gov.
