The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is forecasting unhealthy conditions across the state including South Central Illinois for sensitive groups for fine particulates until 10 Wednesday evening.
In additional to smoke from the Canadian wildfires, warm, dry, and sunny weather along with intensifying drought conditions are major contributing factors for fine particulates formation that is causing the poor air quality. Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts and levels can normally be found at AirNow.gov, but the unique widespread nature of this episode prompted this extra National Weather Service alert.
Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
Residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. Air quality forecasts and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov.
