07/17/2026
Burke Centre Pools will be closed today due to Very Unhealthy Air Quality
Code Purple (Very Unhealthy) Air Quality Day:
Due to wildfires in Canada, a Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued for Friday, July 17, which means air quality is unhealthy for everyone. Residents should reduce outdoor activities, especially children, older adults, people with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and people with other chronic conditions including heart disease and diabetes.
Burke Centre Pools will be closed today due to the Code Purple for Northern Virginia, which defines the air quality as "Very Unhealthy". Fairfax County has closed its outdoor facilities today for this reason and the Burke Centre Conservancy follows the actions of Fairfax County in instances of inclement weather.
Learn more on the county’s Air Quality page: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/air-quality
10 Air Quality Safety Tips from Fairfax County:
1. Avoid intense outdoor activities.
2. Move activities indoors or reschedule when possible.
3. Keep outdoor time short and take frequent breaks.
4. Use air conditioners or air purifiers and replace filters regularly.
5. Keep windows and doors closed, however...
6. If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air conditioning, visit a cooling center or use other ways to cool down.
7. Ensure inhalers or oxygen are accessible and working.
8. Seek immediate medical care for trouble breathing, chest tightness or irregular heartbeat.
9. If you have a lung condition, consider wearing a well‑fitting mask outside.
10. Outdoor workers and their employers should work together to adjust outdoor work schedules and arrange frequent breaks as needed.
Protect your health from poor air quality by taking the following actions:
1. Reduce your exposure when air quality is poor:
Stay inside as much as possible and keep windows and doors closed.
When outside, choose shorter or less intense activities and take more breaks.
When driving, use your car’s air recirculation mode to keep pollution and allergens outside.
2. Make an emergency plan:
Keep a month’s supply of important medicines, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or a lung disease such as COPD.
Make sure prescribed breathing aids, such as inhalers, oxygen, and CPAP/BiPAP, are accessible and working correctly.
Keep an updated list of medications, dosages, allergies, and medical conditions for each member of your household.
3. Protect your home to keep indoor air clean:
If your home has an HVAC system, use high-efficiency filters and change them regularly.
If you don’t have an HVAC system, consider portable air purifiers or box fans to help filter and keep air circulating.
Use caulk to seal cracks around windows and doors to limit pollution from getting in.
4. Seek medical care:
Talk to your doctor about medications and treatment options for your health conditions so you can be prepared year-round.
Get medical care right away for urgent symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, or heart palpitations.
5. Stay informed:
Check your local air quality at www.AirNow.gov and learn what the different colors mean.
Keep an eye on local pollen and heat forecasts using a weather app or trusted news source.
Sign up for emergency alerts with Fairfax Alerts.
AirNow is your one-stop source for air quality data. Our recently redesigned site highlights air quality in your local area first, while still providing air quality information at state, national, and world views.
