Smoke from the wildfires raging in Canada is having more of an impact Friday in Alexandria and the D.C. region.
Alexandria is under an Air Quality Alert Friday (July 17), Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a social media update. According to AirNow air quality monitoring, the current air quality index in Alexandria exceeded 200, reaching the “very unhealthy” level.
“It’s really important that you avoid strenuous outdoor activity today,” Gaskins said. “If you do need to go outside, please try and limit your outdoor activity as much as possible. Additionally, make sure that you’re doing the same for your pets.”
City-operated outdoor pools are closed Friday, while indoor pools remain open. The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities’ summer camps and other outdoor programs will be held indoors.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality upgraded the alert to a Code Purple Friday morning — two steps up from the Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued Thursday, which signaled that the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children and people with respiratory difficulties.
The current air quality is at Code Purple levels in the DMV, very unhealthy air for everyone. Conditions may deteriorate further so stay air quality aware: https://t.co/vujQarGehK pic.twitter.com/S79NqlrkAW
More from the National Weather Service:
…AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY JULY 17 2026…
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert Friday for Northern Virginia.
A Code Purple Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are very unhealthy for the general population. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site Virginia DEQ air quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov
