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Pa. declares Code Purple air quality alert statewide as Lehigh Valley reaches ‘hazardous’ levels

July 16, 2026 at 6:20 pm

As wildfire smoke lingers and air quality worsens, here’s why you should stay indoors

The poor air quality Thursday was the equivalent of smoking four to six cigarettes in a day, according to a professor of public health at Lehigh University.

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Pa. declares Code Purple air quality alert statewide as Lehigh Valley reaches ‘hazardous’ levels

This screenshot shows air quality over eastern Pennsylvania on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as smoke from Canadian wildfires descended on the region.

What is the Lehigh Valley air quality is like right now? How to check it near you

Fire firetruck webstock

Easton declares ‘fire emergency’ due to underground blaze downtown; widespread power outage expected

Police and rescue workers respond to a truck rollover crash Thursday, July 16, 2026, on Route 29 in Upper Milford Township. (Laurie Mason Schroeder/The Morning Call)

Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck

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Lehigh Valley mobile home park is sold for a tidy profit
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South Whitehall data center developer says employee at hearing fired over texts
Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck
Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck
Daily Horoscope for July 16, 2026
Daily Horoscope for July 16, 2026

Local News

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Wildfire smoke from Canada descended upon the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, casting a haze over the region. See photos.

Sports

A general view of street mall during poor air quality due to dense smoke from Canadian wildfires in Glenview, Ill., Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) CORRECTION: Glenview, not Northbrook

Phillies-Mets start time moved, MLS game between Vancouver-Chicago ppd. due to wildfire smoke

In June 2023, a game between Detroit and Philadelphia was postponed due to poor air quality related to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Things to Do

Guy Davis at the Blast Furnace Blues Festival in 2011. The festival returns Friday and Saturday to SteelStacks in Bethlehem. (Monica Cabrera / The Morning Call)

Things to do this weekend in Lehigh Valley: A little blues, a little disco and more

Listen to some blues or the pop sounds of ABBA at these weekend events.

Wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Wildfire smoke from Canada descended upon the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, casting a haze over the region. See photos.
Easton Heritage Day celebrates America 250 | PHOTOS
One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS
Preparing to read the Declaration of Independence at Easton Heritage Day | PHOTOS
Ryan Mackenzie, at housing-focused visit in Bethlehem with Trump official | PHOTOS
Crews clear debris and repair power lines | PHOTOS
Storms damage West Park in Allentown | PHOTOS

Opinion

The west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol at Third and State streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Opinion: Data center development in Lehigh Valley can be controlled

Opinion: A ban has zero chance of becoming law, and data center developers win.

Crime and Public Safety

Police investigate the scene and the coroner has been called to a fatal shooting Thursday, May 28, 2026, in the 5100 block of Third Street, which is located in the Cementon section of Whitehall Township. (Dennis Wetherhold Jr. /Special to The Morning Call)

Teen held for trial in fatal shooting of 74-year-old Whitehall Township resident

Elijah Ceballos, 17, of Whitehall waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in the...

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Experience comfortable outdoor hunts with top duck hunting waders

The best duck hunting waders keep you dry without limiting your mobility and if they...

Business

Fed probe suggests Tesla’s self-driving feature wasn’t to blame in crash that killed a grandmother

The Tesla slammed into Texas home and killed a 76-year-old woman.

Pennsylvania News

Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget on July 12 in Harrisburg that includes a total of $11.85 billion for schools. (Commonwealth Media Services)

The accounting tricks that balanced Pa.’s budget — but only on paper

The plan delays billions in payments to organizations that manage healthcare for Medicaid recipients

National News

SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship stands ready but was aborted before liftoff, in Starbase, Texas, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SpaceX scrubs Starship launch attempt right as engines begin to light

SpaceX tried to get its 13th suborbital test flight of its Starship and Super Heavy...

Allentown

This former Ruby Tuesday restaurant in west Allentown may soon be torn down. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

A new use is being pitched for the site of a former Allentown restaurant

Jaindl Land Co. presented a sketch plan for a two-story structure at 3995 Tilghman Street...

Bethlehem Area

Festivalgoers enjoy the sights and sounds of the One Earth Festival Global Music and Culture Festival at SteelStacks on Saturday July 11 2026. The fifth annual festival, presented by ArtsQuest in partnership with Movement Moves Media, celebrates global music, culture and community. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS

SteelStacks in Bethlehem celebrates the fifth annual One Earth Reggae Festival. See photos.