THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUEDA CODE RED AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR TODAY DUE TO SMOKE FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES FOR NORTHERN AND CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA. ELEVATED FINE PARTICULATE MATTER LEVELS DUE TO THE SMOKE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TODAY AND SATURDAY AND THE ENTIRE STATE WILL EXPERIENCE HAZY AIR. BE ADVISED A CODE PURPLE AIR QUALITY ALERT WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE TODAY.

A CODE RED AIR QUALITY ALERT MEANS THAT AIR POLLUTION CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE LOCAL REGION ARE UNHEALTHY FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION CAN BE MINIMIZED BY AVOIDING OUTDOOR EXERCISE OR STRENUOUS ACTIVITY. SENSITIVE GROUPS SHOULD TAKE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS. THESE GROUPS INCLUDE CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, OR OTHER LUNG DISEASES.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - AIR QUALITY DIVISION WEBSITE AT: HTTPS: WWW.AIRNOW.GOV