Heat and wildfire smoke hit Maryland with back-to-back alerts Saturday

Maryland is getting hit from two directions Saturday: dangerous heat in parts of the state and wildfire smoke fouling the air from the Western Maryland mountains to the Eastern Shore.

What’s Happening: Heat advisories and air quality alerts are both active across Maryland, with the air quality alerts covering every county in the state and running through midnight.

The Heat: Two separate heat advisories are in effect:

• Southern Baltimore, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties are under a heat advisory until 7 p.m., with heat index values expected to reach about 105 degrees.
• Caroline, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties are under a heat advisory until 8 p.m., with heat index values up to 106 degrees.

The Air: The Maryland Department of the Environment issued Code Orange air quality alerts Saturday for every region of the state, from Garrett County in the west to the Eastern Shore. Wildfire smoke pushed fine particulate matter to levels the department rated Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Friday night into Saturday morning. Air quality is expected to improve Saturday afternoon, but the alerts run through midnight.

How This Affects Real People: Code Orange means air pollution can reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and anyone with asthma, heart disease, or other lung conditions. Everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor activity while the alerts are active. On heat advisory days, drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces, stay out of direct sun, and check on neighbors and relatives. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke require immediate attention.