PHILADELPHIA—The city of Philadelphia is under a Code Red Fine Particles Action Day Alert. This alert means that the air is unhealthy to breathe, and some members of the general public may experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Air quality may vary throughout the city and throughout the day, with some areas having significantly worse quality depending on the prevailing winds.

Based on the most recent models, the Health Department is hopeful that this event will end by tomorrow morning. However, this forecast could change so residents are encouraged to continue monitoring the situation via local news, City social media accounts, and the READYPHILADELPHIA emergency notification system.

The City will remain open today; however, in light of the continued air quality alert, and in an abundance of caution, departments and employees are urged to take actions to protect their staff, including allowing staff that can work indoors to do so, providing high-quality masks to staff who must work outdoors, and allowing more frequent breaks for staff working outdoors.

In addition, summer camps run by the City will move their programming indoors. City pools will be closed for the day.

The Health Department continues to recommend that residents take precautions to protect themselves.

General Guidance for Residents:

As the smoke moves through the region, some parts of Philadelphia may experience significantly worse air quality. The latest information and recommendations are available in the City’s updated blog post.

For individuals that must be outside during the hazardous period, the City is making masks available free of charge at the following locations:

  • Health Department Resource Hubs (locations available in the City’s Resource Hub blog post; the Mt. Enon site is closed this week).
  • All Philadelphia Police Districts.
  • Philadelphia Fire Department stations.

Residents can receive two masks per person and may retrieve supplies for individuals at home who cannot make it themselves. Masks are adult-sized only.

Stay Informed:

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