DEP issues air quality alert with extreme heat in forecast

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced an air quality warning for Saturday in southwest Pennsylvania as the region prepares for extreme heat this weekend.

This month’s second Code Orange air quality alert comes as heat indexes are expected to reach over 90 degrees Saturday, with some counties feeling like more than 100 degrees Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Code Orange means the air will reach unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people, DEP said.

This means children and people who are elderly, pregnant or have heart or respiratory disease may experience breathing problems.

The expected high temperatures, winds and sunshine “will create robust ozone formation” leading to poor air quality, the department said.

Open burning and outdoor fires are not permitted in Allegheny County on these days. In addition, the department suggested limiting pollution-producing activities such as daytime driving, engine idling, refueling vehicles before dusk and mowing the lawn. It also suggested keeping curtains drawn and air conditioning on a higher temperature.

With extreme heat expected, the Allegheny County Health Department said some symptoms of heat-related illness, such as extremely high body temperature, can feel similar to COVID-19 symptoms. The department advised people to change masks if they become wet from sweat or breathing droplets.

Since the start of July, Pittsburgh has seen eight days with temperatures of 90 degrees or more, according to the National Weather Service.