The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the Maryland suburban DC region. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the Baltimore City Metro and Annapolis region. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx.

* WHAT. Heat index values up to 107 expected. * WHERE. Portions of central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN. From noon to 8 PM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.