The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Wednesday in Pittsburgh and its surrounding counties, including Butler County. A similar action was taken Tuesday.

Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Wednesday, according to the DEP.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are encouraged to help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash and other materials; and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.