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Code Purple air quality impacts outdoor activities
The hazy Code Purple day in the DMV had an impact on people’s lives. Schools kept kids inside and canceled after-school activities. Government services were put on pause for the day. D.C.’s many tourists had to come up with alternatives. FOX 5’s David Kaplan has traversed the District talking to people.
WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals have postponed their Thursday afternoon game due to poor air quality in the Washington, D.C. area as smoke from massive wildfires raging in Canada moves south.
The smoky haze blanketing the DMV has worsened, leading health officials to declare a Code PURPLE alert, meaning that the Air Quality Index is above 200.
The team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks has been rescheduled for 1:05 p.m. Thursday, June 22. They say all tickets and parking passes will remain valid for the rescheduled game.
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FOX 5 Weather forecast for Thursday, June 8
Tucker Barnes has the FOX 5 Weather forecast for Thursday, June 8
The air quality has brought on several other cancellations and closures, and residents across the region are being asked to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities if possible as the smoke continues to billow in.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered all DC Public Schools to cancel outdoor activities including recess, outdoor P.E. classes, sports practices and competitions and any outdoor field trips or events. The White House even canceled a Pride event that was supposed to take place on the South Lawn.
More than 400 fires are burning across Canada, leaving at least 20,000 people displaced.
U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey told the Associated Press that the weather system pushing the smoke as far south as North Carolina "will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days."