Heat and air pollution affect Fairfax County

Fairfax County activated its Heat Plan for today, July 18, while the air quality remains at unhealthy levels due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

The National Weather Service expects a heat index value of around 105 for today.

Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all outdoor activities scheduled on school fields and courts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. That includes all co-curricular or extracurricular activities, recreation programs, and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS.

When Fairfax County’s heat plan is activated, cooling centers around the county are available for individuals needing relief from the heat.

Cooling centers in the Mason District/Annandale area include the Willson Multicultural Center, James Lee Community Center, Minnie Peyton Community Center, Thomas Jefferson Library, Providence Rec Center, George Mason Regional Library, and the Audrey Moore Rec Center.

Visit this page for information about Fairfax County’s extreme heat resources.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Fairfax County. The county is currently under a Code Orange designation for air pollution due to high amounts of particulate matter in the air.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Everyone else is encouraged to avoid outdoor exercise, keep windows closed, run an air purifier, and wear a mask outdoors.   

Things should improve later this afternoon or evening as heavy storms are predicted. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Northern Virginia for this evening.