Wildfire smoke in Philly: 'Hazardous' air quality in Chester; pools and other closures in the city; latest forecast and timing

Shifting winds may give Philly a break from the smoke today, but the air quality is likely to remain poor until at least Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Friday.

Wildfires continue to burn in Western Ontario, and northwest winds are blanketing the region with particulate-filled air that gives the sky its hazy appearance, said meteorologist Joe DeSilva.

“As winds shift more northerly today, that’ll push the majority of the smoke south to our area briefly. A resurgence of the smoke is expected tonight as winds shift again,” DeSilva said.

Air quality across the Philadelphia was poor Friday morning due to wildfire smoke from Canada, with most of the area in the “very unhealthy” zone.

The city of Chester was among the worse, hitting an air quality index of 312 at 7 a.m. Friday. A reading over 300 is considered "hazardous," with air quality so poor it could be dangerous to everyone.

By 9 a.m., the number dipped down a bit to 279, solidly in the "very unhealthy" category.

Philadelphia pools and spraygrounds will be closed Friday and trash pickup is suspended due to "very unhealthy" air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.

“Our worsening air quality is a dangerous development,” Palak Raval-Nelson, the commissioner of the city's Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “I strongly encourage all residents to take action to protect themselves by staying indoors, unless they need to be outdoors."

As of 7 a.m., Philadelphia's air quality index was 267, solidly in the middle of the "very unhealthy" range, which means the the general public is at risk for serious heath effects.

Philadelphia’s jinxed July, which had already featured a record-setting dome of heat and microburst storms that razed hundred of trees, now includes a smothering, suffocating smoke.

The smoke, which is expected to blanket the region at least through Friday, originated from fires burning in Western Ontario, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Friday. Code purple signifies very unhealthy air, meaning people should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activities. The department suggested not using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding the burning of leaves or trash.

As Canada grapples with hundreds of active wildfires, the rest of North America is feeling the impacts with air quality alerts.

In Philadelphia and elsewhere, the air quality score is considered very unhealthy, particularly for the most sensitive people.

Whether you are planning to go out or stay home, here’s what three experts had to say about staying healthy and what precautions are needed: