This is a message from the Chester County Health Department.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for Friday, July 17, 2026, including Chester County, due to smoke in our region from the Minnesota and Canada wildfires.

Everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and consider rescheduling or moving outdoor activities indoors. Sensitive groups - including children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung conditions, and people with heart conditions – should avoid outdoor activities. Outdoor workers are at a higher risk and should take frequent breaks in clean air. Everyone should monitor their symptoms. If you must go outside, consider wearing a high-quality mask, like an N-95 or KN-95.

Chester County residents can contact the Chester County Human Needs Network by calling 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211. The Human Needs Network connects Chester County residents to housing, utility, mental and behavioral health, and other human service supports. Anyone in need of shelter should contact the Human Needs Network of Chester County. 

Monitor your air quality at airnow.gov.