The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield is forecasting unhealthy air conditions again on Thursday for sensitive groups (USG) for ozone and fine particulates. The Air Quality Alert is in effect from 10 this morning to 8 this evening.
While the smoke from the Canadian wildfires has largely cleared in South Central Illinois, warm, dry, and sunny weather along with intensifying drought conditions are now the major contributing factors for ozone and fine particulates formation.
Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
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.
Smoke over Route 161 in Centralia on Wednesday. Photo by Pat Hodges.
