WASHINGTON — Wildfire smoke continued to affect air quality across parts of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, with officials warning residents to monitor pollution levels as smoke from large fires in Canada and the northern United States moved through the region.
Air quality conditions improved in some areas compared with earlier in the week, but state environmental and health agencies said elevated levels of fine particulate matter remained possible, particularly for sensitive groups including children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
The smoke plume contributed to hazy skies and reduced visibility across portions of the Mid-Atlantic, including the Washington metropolitan area, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and surrounding states. Officials said shifting weather patterns and incoming storms were expected to help clear some of the smoke from the region.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said air quality had been improving across much of the state after several areas experienced elevated pollution levels linked to wildfire smoke. The agency maintained a Code Orange air quality alert for several southeastern counties, including the Philadelphia area, while noting that conditions could change as smoke moved and weather systems developed.
Health officials urged residents to limit prolonged outdoor activity when air quality deteriorates and to check updated conditions through monitoring services such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow system. New Jersey health officials advised residents to stay informed about local air quality and take precautions if smoke levels increased.
The smoke originated from ongoing wildfires in Canada and parts of the northern United States, with meteorologists tracking the movement of smoke across the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Earlier forecasts indicated that more than 100 million people across affected areas could experience unhealthy air quality during the smoke event.
Fine particulate pollution from wildfire smoke can worsen symptoms for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, according to public health agencies. Officials have emphasized that exposure risks depend on local conditions and that air quality can vary significantly between nearby communities.
Forecasters said rain and thunderstorms moving through parts of the eastern United States could reduce smoke concentrations and improve air quality in affected areas. Officials continued to monitor conditions as smoke patterns shifted and new updates became available.
