WARREN, Ohio - Air quality in the Valley ranged from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” after the sun came up Wednesday to light the sky filled with smoke from Canadian wildfires.

For the second time in three weeks, wildfire smoke has created unhealthy conditions in Ohio, according to AirNow.gov.

"With the possible exception of areas very near February's derailment/controlled burn in East Palestine, today's air quality is likely the worst our area has experienced in the 21st century," according to WFMJ Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm.

According to an email alert from EnviroFlash, this unhealthy air quality is expected to bleed into Thursday as well with an AQI of 164, which is described as "unhealthy" by AirNow.gov.

The extended forecast shows "moderate" air quality levels for Friday and beyond.

Government experts analyzed information recorded around 10 am on monitoring devices around the Valley and reported that the air in Warren, Youngstown, and New Castle was “very unhealthy”.

Health officials recommend that everyone should limit or avoid outdoor physical activity, while those in sensitive groups avoid all outdoor activities.

At the same time, monitors in East Palestine and Farrell showed “unhealthy” air quality and trending toward “very unhealthy”.

It is recommended that everyone in those areas keep outdoor activities light and of short duration.  Go inside if you have symptoms.

Those in sensitive groups should go indoors for cleaner air if they don’t feel well.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Cod Red Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter on Wednesday for the entire state.

On a Code Red Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

 Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff is encouraging Ohioans to be aware of possible health effects, as smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing poor air quality in the state.

“Certain groups of people are at higher risk, such as those with chronic heart or lung disease, children, the elderly, and pregnant women.” Dr. Vanderhoff said.

Smoke from wildfires contains particulates. Particulates can be inhaled into your lungs and cause irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain; and can also aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions.

The most important precaution is to limit outdoor activity, especially outdoor exercise, and spend more time indoors.

Other precautions include:

• Spend time in a room you can close off from outside air.
• Avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and aerosol sprays. Smoking tobacco products and vacuuming may worsen indoor air pollution.

• If you have a central air conditioning system, use high-efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. If your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If your eyes, nose, or throat are irritated, running a humidifier may provide some relief.

It also is important to check in on anyone who is more at risk and to carefully monitor children. Those with asthma are encouraged to carefully follow their asthma action plan if they have one. Make sure you have enough medication for several days.

Those with heart disease or COPD should pay close attention to symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, a fast heartbeat, feeling more out of breath than usual, or extreme fatigue. Contact your doctor, or if symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1.

To see real-time air quality in your area, visit the AirNow website.