UPDATE: Central Maryland’s air quality has been revised to “yellow” on Friday as conditions continue to improve.

Original story below…

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Friday in the Baltimore area.

Wildfire smoke from Canada will still be present, but will not be as oppressive as it was on Thursday.

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.

The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.