Philadelphia residents and those in nearby regions of New Jersey are experiencing a significant decline in air quality, prompted by smoke drifting from large-scale wildfires burning in Ocean County, NJ. The Jones Road Fire—ignited in late April by arson in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area—has scorched over 15,000 acres, forced the evacuation of approximately 5,000 people, and continues to burn despite achieving only partial containment.
Emergency response agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have issued a series of escalating air quality warnings. On April 23, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) declared an Air Quality Action Day, identifying particulate matter (PM2.5) levels as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Health officials advised older adults, children, and individuals with heart or lung conditions to reduce outdoor activity. Forecast models suggested that changes in wind patterns could further direct the plume toward Central New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island, moderately worsening air conditions in those areas by April 24 .
In Philadelphia, localized haze and elevated pollution have begun to resemble earlier smog events from Canadian fire seasons. The American Lung Association’s recent “State of the Air” report rated Philadelphia and parts of South Jersey, including Gloucester, Mercer, and Ocean counties, with a failing grade due to rising ozone and particulate levels. Smoke from Canada’s 2023 wildfires played a substantial role in these results, but even after controlling for that, the region’s air quality remains troublingly poor.
According to Kevin Stewart, director of environmental health at the Lung Association, the deteriorated air quality stems from wildfire smoke as well as local sources such as automobiles and industrial emissions. He emphasized that climate change is intensifying the fire risk, and that communities must begin to prioritize periodic air quality monitoring to remain vigilant against recurring smoke episodes .
While monitoring agencies have not yet escalated to a Code Red alert in Philadelphia, air quality indices frequently ticked into the orange category—signifying risk for sensitive individuals. Hazy skies were reported both on Ground and elevated layers, sometimes remaining aloft yet occasionally drifting down to impact breathing-level air . Particularly worrisome is PM2.5 data—fine particles under 2.5 micrometers—that can infiltrate lungs and enter the bloodstream, worsening asthma, chronic respiratory disease, and cardiovascular conditions.
Similar trends have been observed during past wildfire events, including the Canadian blaze episodes of 2023. Back then, Philadelphia experienced its worst air quality levels since 1999, prompting school closures and cancellations of major public events. Authorities again sounded the alarm in early June 2025, referencing simultaneous smoke influence from both Canadian and New Jersey fires, prompting code-yellow alerts across the metro region .
In response, officials and health experts are urging residents to take protective measures. The NJDEP and the American Lung Association recommend staying indoors, sealing windows and doors, running air purifiers with HEPA filters or HVAC systems in recirculation mode, and utilizing high-grade masks (N95/KN95) when venturing outside. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or eye and throat irritation are advised to seek medical attention.
Scientists continue to warn that climate change will lengthen wildfire seasons and expand their reach—meaning smoke events may grow more frequent and severe in the years ahead. A 2024 study examining HVAC filter performance highlights that typical mechanical and charged filters degrade quickly when exposed to smoke, calling into question their protective adequacy under prolonged exposure.
As the Jones Road Fire approaches 30% containment—with some brief containment progress in early May—the broader message remains clear: air quality in the Philadelphia region is under sustained pressure from wildfire-related pollution. Residents are encouraged to remain informed through daily AQI reports, follow official health advisories, and take concrete steps to protect vulnerable family members. The convergence of climate dynamics and large-scale wildfires suggests that such smoke incidents will shape air quality expectations in the Northeast moving forward.
