The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended the Air Quality Action Days (AQADs) through Thursday in two regions of the state.
On Wednesday, ozone levels are expected to remain in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (orange) in the following areas:
- Southeast Indiana, including the towns and cities of Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
- Southwest Indiana, including the towns and cities of Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
Earlier this week, IDEM extended previous AQADs forecasts for ozone levels in the Southeast and Southwest Indiana through Wednesday. A stalled frontal boundary will remain near the Ohio Valley, above southern Indiana, on Thursday leaving the region with a hot, humid, and stagnant airmass. Mostly sunny skies combined with light winds and high temperatures may cause ozone levels to rise to the level of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (orange) in the regions listed above.
Hoosiers can visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to:
- View air quality information for all Indiana counties, including a state map of affected counties;
- Learn more about Air Quality Action Days and recommended actions;
- Learn more about ozone and fine particulate matter; and
- Sign up for air quality alerts.
Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified dates. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules.
About IDEM: IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.