07/16/2026
Please please please take heed of the warnings and implement appropriate steps to protect yourself and your pets.
Animals with cardiovascular or respiratory disease are especially at risk and should be watched closely during all periods of poor air quality.
What to look for: coughing or gagging, difficulty breathing (including open mouth breathing and increased noise when breathing), eye irritation and excessive watering, inflammation of throat or mouth, nasal discharge, fatigue or weakness, disorientation or stumbling, and reduced appetite and/or thirst.
Tips to protect your pets: keep them indoors as much as possible and keep windows shut (birds are particularly susceptible and should not be allowed outside), let them outside only for brief bathroom breaks, and avoid intense outdoor exercise.
If any of your animals experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your veterinarian.
Stay safe everyone ❤️🐶❤️🐱❤️
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The Maryland Department of Environment has issued a CODE RED air quality alert (unhealthy for all) on Friday for the following counties:
- Frederick
- Carroll
- Baltimore
- Harford
- Montgomery
- Howard
- Prince George’s
- Anne Arundel
- Baltimore City
The Maryland Department of Environment has issued a CODE PURPLE air quality alert (very unhealthy) on Friday for the following counties:
- Washington
Dense wildfire smoke is expected to move in tonight into Friday, leading to very poor air quality and reduced visibility. While we have experienced this before and it’s nothing to be scared of, you do need to take some extra precautions. If possible, avoid spending time outside. Going to the mail box or from your house to car is fine, but don’t go out for more than you have to. If you do have to go outside, wear an N95 mask and limit your duration of outdoor exposure. Keep doors and windows closed so smoke doesn’t enter your home. You will likely smell smoke, so unless you are confident there is a nearby fire, don’t spam the fire department with calls. They know it smells like smoke.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see much of the rest of the area upgraded to a CODE PURPLE depending on just how dense the smoke gets. Again, this is something we have dealt with before, and as long as you take the necessary precautions, you’ll be just fine.
