Poor air quality leads to event postponements, changes
After two consecutive Code Red Air Quality Action Days in Butler County and rest of Pennsylvania, the threat has been downgraded to a Code Orange for Friday, June 30, but not before taking a toll on people’s summer plans.
Due to poor air quality caused by smoke wafting over the state as a result of wildfires in Canada, the town of Harmony took no chances with letting residents gather outdoors in the smoke from Canadian wildfires. The town’s parks and recreation board opted to postpone Thursday night’s planned Summer Concert Series event by a week to Thursday night, July 6.
Following their lead, the Harmony Fire District also postponed Thursday’s open house event by a week.
For similar reasons, Slippery Rock Area Parks and Recreation’s Summer Playsafe camp took action to limit outdoor exposure for its children by canceling the afternoon swim.
Meanwhile, Cranberry Township Parks and Recreation announced Thursday that the concert at Cranberry Community Park featuring the Butler County Symphony Orchestra would go on as scheduled Thursday night. However, they added that “the decision to attend is at the discretion of each individual.”
At 6 p.m. Thursday, concentrations of fine particulates in Butler County were measured at 230 — enough to put it in the purple, or “very unhealthy” range, according to AirNow.gov. The EPA website predicted concentrations will fall into the orange range in Butler on Friday.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, on a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day, children; sensitive populations, such as older people; those who exercise or work outdoors; and those with lung or respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis, should reduce or eliminate their outdoor activities.
The Big Butler Fair, scheduled for Friday, June 30, through Saturday, July 8, has no plans to change its schedule at this time. However, harness races that were scheduled to take place at the fairground Wednesday were canceled on the recommendation of the on-site state veterinarian. Harness racing resumed Thursday.
“We haven’t changed anything here on our end,” said a representative of the fair. “People have to use their judgment.”
