{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.f938ef64cb8d4eb8486e62a4aa2ebcbc9b5362bc.002.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:25PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV","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.f938ef64cb8d4eb8486e62a4aa2ebcbc9b5362bc.002.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Charleston WV"},"word_count":206,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:25PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Cabell; Mason; Jackson; Wood; Pleasants; Tyler; Putnam; Kanawha; Roane; Wirt; Calhoun; Ritchie; Doddridge; Clay; Braxton; Gilmer; Lewis; Harrison; Taylor; Upshur; Barbour; Northwest Randolph; Southeast Randolph\n**Issued by:** NWS Charleston WV\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T17:25:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T17:25:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T17:30:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nThe West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has issued\na Code Red Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17, 2026 due to smoke\nfrom Canadian wildfires for northern and central West Virginia.\nElevated fine particulate matter levels due to the smoke will\ncontinue through Friday and Saturday and the entire state will\nexperience hazy air. Be advised a code PURPLE air quality alert will\nbe in effect for the northern West Virginia panhandle on Friday.\n\nA code RED air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations\nwithin the local region are unhealthy for the general population. The\neffects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding outdoor\nexercise or strenuous activity. Sensitive groups should take\nadditional precautions. These groups include children, the elderly,\nand people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung\ndiseases.\n\nFor additional information, please visit the West Virginia\nDepartment of Environmental Protection - Air Quality Division website\nat: https://www.airnow.gov"}