Code Purple: Why Alexandria Smells So Bad — And Why Health Officials Are Concerned

ALEXANDRIA, VA – If you stepped outside Friday morning and wondered whether someone in the neighborhood had lit something weird on fire, but could not quite place the odor, you weren’t alone.

Across Alexandria, residents awoke to the unmistakable smell of something foul hanging in the air. But the source wasn’t a backyard fire or a nearby brush blaze. Instead, smoke from massive wildfires burning more than 1,000 miles away in Canada drifted into the Washington region overnight, prompting officials to issue a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Alexandria and much of Northern Virginia.

The smoky skies arrived just as another hot and humid July day settled over the region, creating an uncomfortable—and potentially unhealthy—combination.

“This is a Code Purple Air Quality Alert,” the City of Alexandria warned Friday. “The air is very unhealthy for everyone.”

Unlike lower-level air quality advisories that primarily affect people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, a Code Purple alert means everyone may experience health effects and should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activity.

Why Alexandria Smells

The smoke isn’t coming from anywhere nearby.

Hundreds of active wildfires continue to burn across several Canadian provinces, sending enormous plumes of smoke high into the atmosphere. Winds carried that smoke south into the Mid-Atlantic, where weather conditions allowed it to settle close to the ground over the Washington metropolitan area.

The result was immediately noticeable across Alexandria. Residents reported hazy skies and the distinct scent of burning wood, even though no local fires were responsible.

Friday’s heat also contributed to poor conditions. Temperatures climbing into the 90s, combined with relatively stagnant air, prevented the smoke from dispersing quickly, allowing fine particles to linger where people live, work and exercise.

Why Health Officials Are Concerned

The smell may be unpleasant, but health experts say the greatest concern is what can’t be seen.

Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles known as PM2.5, which are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, trigger coughing and shortness of breath, worsen asthma and other respiratory diseases, and increase health risks for children, older adults, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions.

Even healthy adults may notice burning eyes, headaches or reduced endurance while walking, running or working outdoors.

City officials recommend:

• Limiting prolonged time outside whenever possible.
• Avoiding strenuous outdoor exercise until air quality improves.
• Keeping windows closed if smoke is noticeable.
• Running air conditioning on the recirculate setting.
• Using a HEPA air purifier indoors if available.
• Wearing a properly fitted N95 mask if extended outdoor activity is unavoidable.

When Will Conditions Improve?

Forecasters expect the smoky conditions to ease once winds shift and cleaner air moves into the region. Exactly when that happens depends on changing weather patterns and the continuing wildfire activity in Canada.

Until then, officials encourage residents to monitor daily air quality reports before planning outdoor recreation, youth sports, walks along the waterfront or other extended activities outside.

For many Alexandrians, Friday served as a reminder that events happening hundreds or even thousands of miles away can still affect everyday life here at home.

It’s simply traveled a very long way to get here.