The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an air quality alert for all of Indiana Friday.
An Air Quality Action Day will be in effect all day Friday as a stagnant weather pattern continues to move smoke from Canadian wildfires across the state, according to an IDEM news release. The entire state has been under Air Quality Quality Action Days since Wednesday, and officials say air quality may continue to be affected beyond the weekend.
Smoke and fine particulate levels are expected to be in the orange or “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range on Friday. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, are asked to limit prolonged outdoor exposure, according to the National Weather Service
Officials recommend the public consider taking the following actions to help reduce ozone-forming emissions:
- Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
- Avoid using the drive-thru and combine errands into one trip.
- Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
- Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.
- Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.
- Avoid burning wood in fireplaces or wood-fired boilers and any other unnecessary fires.
- Reduce activity time outdoors to reduce unhealthy exposure to particulates and avoid exercising near busy roads.
