Local Air Quality Concerns from Canadian Wildfires

Local Bloomington area residents may have been aware of a haze in the air, which affected the air quality and reduced visibility.  The haze was a result of the widespread wildfires actively burning throughout Canada. While today’s current weather has decreased the visible haze, the air quality is still concerning.

Local Emergency Management, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and the National Weather Service are keeping residents informed via alerts and social media posts. Today’s IDEM alert indicates the air quality will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.  Sensitive groups include people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Other adults, especially those with heart disease and/or diabetes, children with any of the above diseases, or anyone with a vulnerability to ozone and its precursors are also at risk. Such individuals should consider limiting their time outdoors.

 IDEM has declared today, June 29, as an “Air Quality Action Day.” The following actions can be taken by the general public:

• Carpool or use public transportation
• Stay indoors whenever possible
• Consolidate trips
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gas-powered equipment until after 7p
• Conserve energy by turning office appliances and lights when not in use, which reduces the emissions from energy production

More information can be found on the IDEM’s SmogWatch website https://apps.idem.in.gov/smogwatch/Today.aspx  and from the National Weather Service.