Canadian wildfire smoke makes air quality dangerous across Maryland

Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed Maryland for a third straight day Friday, with conditions in Western Maryland reaching levels considered unhealthy for everyone.

What’s Happening: The Maryland Department of the Environment issued air quality alerts covering every region of the state Friday. All alerts expire at midnight.

Two areas are under Code Purple, the second-worst rating on the air quality index:

• Western Maryland: Allegany and Garrett counties.
• Hagerstown area: Washington County.

The rest of the state is under Code Red, meaning air quality is unhealthy for the general population. Code Red areas include:

• Eastern Shore: Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Inland Worcester, Maryland Beaches, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline counties.
• Baltimore region: Southern Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Northern Baltimore, and Northwest Harford.
• Northeast Maryland: Cecil and Southeast Harford.
• Piedmont: Frederick, Carroll, Northwest Montgomery, and Northwest Howard.
• Suburban Washington: Prince George’s, Central and Southeast Montgomery, and Central and Southeast Howard.
• Southern Maryland: Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert.

What’s Important: Code Purple means pollution has reached levels that are very unhealthy for the general population, not just sensitive groups. Code Red means conditions are unhealthy for everyone. Health officials recommend staying indoors or avoiding strenuous outdoor activity under both alert levels.

How This Affects Real People: Wildfire smoke carries fine particles that irritate the lungs and can worsen conditions like asthma and heart disease. Code Orange alerts, issued Wednesday and Thursday, primarily warned sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Friday’s Code Red and Code Purple warnings apply to all residents.

Catch Up Quick: The Maryland Department of the Environment issued Code Orange alerts Wednesday and Thursday as smoke from the same Canadian wildfires drifted south. Friday’s alerts are more severe across the board, with most of the state now at Code Red and Western Maryland at Code Purple.