Air Quality Alert
Issued by NWS Sterling, VA

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AEUS71 KLWX 172354
AQALWX

Air Quality Alert Message
Relayed by National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
754 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026

WVZ505-506-190400-
Western Pendleton-Eastern Pendleton-
Including the cities of Riverton, Brandywine, Franklin, Oak Flat,
Ruddle, and Sugar Grove
754 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - Air
Quality Division has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert Friday for
eastern West Virgina panhandle outside the eastern panhandle.

Concentrations of fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke will
persist at levels consistent with an Air Quality Index of Unhealthy
(Red Alert) to Very Unhealthy (Purple Alert) Friday night into
Saturday morning. Air quality begins to improve Saturday afternoon.

A Code Red Air Quality Alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region are unhealthy for the general
population. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by
avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

For additional information, please visit the West Virginia
Department of Environmental Protection - Air Quality Division website
at: http://dep.wv.gov/daq/

$$

VAZ025>027-029-030-036>040-050-051-055>057-501>504-507-508-190400-
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Page-Warren-Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-
Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-Stafford-Spotsylvania-
King George-Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland-
Eastern Highland-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-
Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Including the cities of Christian, Churchville, Staunton,
Waynesboro, Spottswood, Stuarts Draft, Harrisonburg, Linville,
Clary, Strasburg, Alonzaville, Woodstock, Hawkinstown,
Mount Clifton, Mount Jackson, Compton, Fairview, Hamburg, Kimball,
Luray, Rileyville, Ingham, Arco, Bentonville, Buckton, Cedarville,
Front Royal, Glen Echo, Howellsville, Greenfield, Charlottesville,
Overton, Shady Grove, Fordsville, Five Forks, Madison Mills,
Twymans Mill, Castleton, Flint Hill, Hackleys Crossroads,
Rock Mills, Washington, Burr Hill, Everona, Lahore, Madison Run,
Nasons, Orange, Unionville, Cardova, Catalpa, Culpeper, Reva,
Stevensburg, Winston, Rapidan, Arkendale, Garrisonville, Shiloh,
Widewater, Brookfield, Falmouth, Glendie, Fredericksburg,
Rollins Fork, Dahlgren, Airlie, Bethel, Warrenton, Turnbull,
Hightown, Mill Gap, New Hampden, Clover Creek, Liberty, McDowell,
Monterey, Mustoe, Possum Trot, Sirons Mill, Chester Gap, Skyland,
and Montebello
754 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a
Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert Friday for
Northwestern and Central Virginia.

Concentrations of fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke will
persist at levels consistent with an Air Quality Index of Unhealthy
(Red Alert) to Very Unhealthy (Purple Alert) Friday night into
Saturday morning. Air quality begins to improve Saturday afternoon.

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

$$

WVZ050-055-501>504-190400-
Hampshire-Hardy-Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-
Eastern Mineral-
Including the cities of Purgitsville, Frenchburg, Romney,
Three Churches, Wapocomo, Points, Springfield, Brake,
Bean Settlement, Fisher, McNeill, Moorefield, Beechwood, Wilsonia,
Bayard, Cabins, Kline Gap, Landes, Masonville, Petersburg,
Seymourville, Welton, Piedmont, Sulphur City, Antioch, Keyser,
New Creek, Ridgeville, Russelldale, Headsville, and Fort Ashby
754 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT SATURDAY NIGHT...

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - Air Quality
Division has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine
Particulates for West Virgina until midnight EDT Saturday night.

Concentrations of fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke will
persist at levels consistent with an Air Quality Index of Unhealthy
(Red Alert) to Very Unhealthy (Purple Alert) Friday night into
Saturday morning. Air quality begins to improve Saturday afternoon.

Code Purple and Code Red Air Quality Alerts mean that air pollution
concentrations within the region are unhealthy to very unhealthy for
the general population.

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.

For additional information, please visit the West Virginia
Department of Environmental Protection - Air Quality Division website
at: http://dep.wv.gov/daq/

$$