Philadelphia suspends trash pickup Friday, closes pools and spraygrounds due to air quality
How wildfire smoke is impacting outdoor life in Philadelphia
Hazy smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to cover Philadelphia for a second day Friday, July 17, with city officials warning residents about unhealthy air quality, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia officials have issued a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for particulate matter, warning that air is very unhealthy to breathe due to wildfire smoke from Canada.
What we know:
A Code Purple Air Quality Alert means everyone is likely to experience health effects from the air, with sensitive groups at even higher risk.
Code Purple air quality alert issued as smoky conditions worsen
Philadelphia is closing pools and spraygrounds and urging residents to take action to protect themselves as a Code Purple air quality alert was issued Friday due to worsening conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke.
"Our worsening air quality is a dangerous development. I strongly encourage all residents to take action to protect themselves by staying indoors, unless they need to be outdoors. If you do need to be outdoors, please wear a well-fitted N-95 or KN-95 mask," said Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson.
"If you do not need to be outside on Friday, please stay at home. Please check on your neighbors and any homebound resident who may need attention during this time. We will get through this significant weather-related health event together," Mayor Cherelle L. Parker added.
The Health Department recommends seeking immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like trouble breathing, heart palpitations, nausea, or dizziness.
Officials say the city otherwise remains open with some service changes, including suspended trash pickup and closed pools and spraygrounds on Friday, July 17. Free Library of Philadelphia locations will remain open for those needing air-conditioned spaces.
The Health Department is hopeful the event will end by the weekend, but residents are encouraged to monitor updates on the BreathePhilly website and through city channels and social media sites.
Philadelphia officials declare Code Purple across the city: FULL PRESSER
The City of Philadelphia's emergency management and public health officials made an important announcement regarding air quality.
Sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, immunocompromised people, outdoor workers, and those without air filtration, should take extra care.
City officials are not recommending cancellation of outdoor events, but urges staff at these events to take indoor breaks every 90 minutes and use N-95 or KN-95 masks.
To keep indoor air clean, residents are advised to close windows and doors, set air conditioners to recirculate, and avoid activities that create indoor pollution, such as smoking, using gas stoves, spraying aerosols, frying food, burning candles, or vacuuming without a HEPA filter.
Residents can check neighborhood air quality at www.phila.gov/breathephilly.
Impact on events
Local perspective:
For much of the day, the city was in a "Very Unhealthy" air quality range, and the city remains under a code red.
Wildfire smoke disrupts Philly events, trash pickup
Philadelphia is facing a second consecutive day of unhealthy air quality as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to linger, according to city health officials. Many outdoor events around the region tonight have been canceled, but tens of thousands of fans are still expected at comedian Shane Gillis’s sold-out show at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Philadelphia Zoo closed early, city pools and splash pads were closed for the day and curbside trash collection was suspended to keep workers safe.
Some residents took matters into their own hands, with Mark Pasternak of Bridesburg saying, "Said we’re not going to have trash pick ups so instead of letting it sit I grabbed by neighbors' trash and mine and brought it down here. It only takes a couple minutes."
Area residents are coping with the ongoing smoke, with Branden Chhoem of Center City saying, "I feel like I wear a mask you are sure because who knows how long I stay outside. And if you stay outside very long it may effect your lungs."
City officials say if the smoke forecast continues to improve, pools will reopen tomorrow and trash collection will resume Saturday.
Despite the air quality, a sold-out crowd is expected at Lincoln Financial Field tonight for the Shane Gillis comedy show.
"We have been meeting with all of the different event sponsors and providers and giving them the appropriate guidance so they can make those decisions in their venues and in their spaces," said Carlton Williams, director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiative for the City of Philadelphia.
"We do plan on working all day Saturday and Sunday to ensure last weeks trash and recycling is collected in time for our services to be on a regular schedule starting Monday," said Williams.
The good news is that storms expected Saturday could help clear some of the wildfire smoke out of the area.
However, this also brings a chance of severe weather over the weekend.
Many residents are still concerned about the ongoing air quality, with one saying, "I think they trying to kill us."
What's next:
Storms expected tomorrow may help clear out some of the wildfire smoke, but city officials warn that this could bring a chance of severe weather over the weekend.
The city plans to resume normal services as soon as conditions allow, aiming for a regular schedule starting Monday.
The backstory:
Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused air quality to worsen in Philadelphia, with conditions varying across the city depending on wind patterns. The City has responded with public health advisories and service changes to protect residents.
All residents are urged to avoid optional outdoor activities and reschedule or move them indoors. Only high-quality masks like N-95 or KN-95 are considered effective for outdoor use during this alert.
What we don't know:
It is not yet clear exactly when the air quality will improve, as the forecast could change. Officials have not specified when suspended services will resume or if further restrictions will be put in place.
The Source: Information from the City of Philadelphia.