West Virginia Unknown Air Quality Alert | Effective 07/16/2026 21:09

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - Air Quality Division has issued a Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert for the northern West Virginia panhandle for Friday, July 17th. A Code Purple Air Quality Alert means everyone is at risk of health effects. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. Everyone should seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low. While indoors, take actions to improve indoor air quality such as: - closing windows and minimize opening of doors - if HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners - avoid activities that make indoor air quality worse: burning candles, using vacuums without a HEPA filter, using gas stoves more than necessary, smoking, spraying aerosol products For additional information, please visit the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection - Air Quality Division website at: http://dep.wv.gov/daq/