Maryland air quality deteriorates, but storms could clear the smoke

Wildfire smoke from Canada was pushing air quality to unhealthy levels across Maryland on Friday, but skies should look a little less hazy by Saturday evening as multiple rounds of thunderstorms move into the region.

Northwesterly winds sent smoke from the wildfires to the mid-Atlantic region this past week. Maryland on Friday saw some of the worst air quality since 2023, when smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the region. That summer, the University of Maryland Medical System saw a 20% increase in heart- and lung-related medical issues compared with the same period in previous years, researchers found.

The Maryland Department of the Environment issued a Code Purple for much of the state for Friday, meaning the air quality was “very unhealthy” for everyone.

The state will likely get some respite from the smoke this weekend, with air quality levels expected to return to normal.

Verlia Williams, 64, went for her daily run around Druid Hill Park on Friday. Only this time, she had to pull out her asthma pump before finishing her first mile due to the bad air lingering from raging Canadian wildfires.

“I actually shortened the run,” Williams said. She ran 2.5 miles instead of her usual 4.

Williams spent 25 years working for the Metro Transit Police Department in her native Washington, D.C. She attributes her resiliency in these types of situations to that service.

“Policing, we don’t get those breaks. We gotta be out in it,” she said. To finish her run, she just wrapped a scarf around her nose and mouth.

Although she persisted in the run, she said not to expect to see her or her 4-year-old French bulldog, Ace, outdoors for the rest of the day. Maybe they’d head out on Saturday, when conditions are a bit clearer, she said.

“No outside activities for me today,” Williams said. “If it’s cloudy like this tomorrow, I’ll probably go down to the gym.”

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms were expected to reach the Greater Baltimore region late Saturday morning, with some possibility of wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, said Eric Taylor, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington office. That should help air quality return to healthy levels but could also produce isolated instances of flash flooding, Taylor said. Temperatures will be in the lower 90s, though humidity will bring the heat index close to 100.

Kevin Witt, another NWS meteorologist, said the region’s air quality will likely be Code Red or Code Purple on Saturday morning and improve to Code Orange by the afternoon, following the rainfall. That means air quality may still be unhealthy for sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.

Despite the wave of showers and isolated storms expected on Saturday, people should still avoid strenuous outdoor activities, such as running and cycling, Witt said.

How to check air quality

Health officials had recommended that people stay inside on Friday. They said this was especially important for the most sensitive groups: children, older people, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung conditions.

Weather service meteorologist Jake Petr said even if winds from the northwest clear skies as expected, the smoky air could keep returning to parts of the United States until the fires are out. Officials said it could take months — until it snows in Canada and northern Minnesota.

MDE warns that another significant round of smoke is possibly by next week.

Marylanders can check the state’s air quality website or AirNow for current levels.

Gov. Wes Moore said the state’s environment and health departments were coordinating to monitor air quality.

“At-risk populations should stay indoors and keep your windows closed to keep yourself safe,” Moore said in a news release. “Please make sure to check in on your family, neighbors and loved ones.”

Cancellations

Baltimore City halted outdoor operations for most city workers starting at noon Friday. Essential employees who must work outdoors were being provided face masks and given breaks throughout their shifts, according to a news release.

The city also suspended trash and recycling pickups for the remainder of the day. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks’ outdoor activities were canceled for Friday, and all outdoor public pools were closed.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.