Indianapolis, IN – Indiana environmental officials have extended air quality alerts into Friday, July 17, as wildfire smoke continues to blanket much of the state, bringing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter to northern Indiana.
According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) remains in effect for Friday across Northwest, North Central and Northeast Indiana, where PM2.5 levels are forecast to reach the “Unhealthy” category. Ozone levels in those regions are also expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
In West Central and Central/East Central Indiana, PM2.5 concentrations are forecast to remain unhealthy for sensitive groups, while southern Indiana is expected to experience better air quality.
The updated forecast follows hazardous smoke conditions on Thursday, July 16, when portions of northern Indiana reached very unhealthy levels due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Health officials recommend that residents limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, especially children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma, COPD, heart disease or other respiratory conditions. Those who must spend extended periods outdoors should consider wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator to reduce exposure to fine smoke particles.
Residents are also encouraged to keep windows and doors closed, operate air conditioning on recirculation mode if available, and avoid activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning.
Air quality conditions may change throughout the day as smoke shifts with weather patterns. Residents can monitor current conditions and forecasts by visiting SmogWatch.IN.gov for the latest statewide updates.
