(ANGOLA) - Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to make the air unhealthy across Steuben County Thursday, with residents advised to limit prolonged time outdoors.
The smoke has been moving south across the Great Lakes and into northern Indiana. Light winds and stagnant conditions are expected to keep the pollution from clearing quickly.
An Air Quality Action Day is in effect through 11:59 p.m. Thursday.
Fine particulate pollution from the wildfire smoke is expected to reach the Red, or Unhealthy, category. Ozone levels are forecast to reach the Orange, or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, category.
Active children and adults, along with people who have asthma or other respiratory conditions, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Other residents may also want to reduce strenuous activity outside.
People are encouraged to stay indoors when possible, keep indoor air circulating and check filtration systems.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management also recommends combining errands, carpooling or using public transportation, avoiding drive-through lines and turning off engines when idling for more than 30 seconds.
Residents should avoid refueling vehicles or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. Conserving electricity by turning off unnecessary lights and setting air conditioners to 75 degrees or higher may also help reduce pollution.
Thursday will be partly cloudy in Steuben County with a high near 88.
Current county-level air-quality information and recommended precautions are available at SmogWatch.IN.gov.