{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.2f478f8b4e18184eec4d613a827b2f16469c86ed.002.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.2f478f8b4e18184eec4d613a827b2f16469c86ed.002.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Blacksburg VA"},"word_count":135,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Alleghany; Bath; Roanoke; Botetourt; Rockbridge; Patrick; Franklin; Bedford; Amherst; Henry; Pittsylvania; Campbell; Appomattox; Buckingham; Halifax; Charlotte\n**Issued by:** NWS Blacksburg VA\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T17:24:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T17:24:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T01:30:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nThe Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code\nOrange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, from 6 AM to\n9 PM EDT Friday.\n\nA Code Orange Air Quality Action Day means that air pollution\nconcentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive\ngroups. Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from\nasthma or other lung diseases...heart disease...and the elderly. The\neffects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous\nactivity or exercise outdoors.\n\nFor additional information...please visit the Virginia Department of\nof Environmental Quality at www.deq.virginia.gov/our-\nprograms/air/monitoring-\nassessments/air-quality-forecast"}