INDIANA– The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Friday, July 4.
Fine particulate matter levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas:
- Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond, and all other cities within the area.
- Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute, and all other cities within the area.
Hot temperatures, sunny skies, and light winds are expected tomorrow as high pressure builds over the region, resulting in very stable atmospheric conditions. This stability is likely to cause a buildup of fine particulates. When combined with additional emissions from fireworks, air quality could reach levels in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range, both on an hourly basis and potentially over the whole 24-hour period. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations are expected across Central, East Central, and West Central Indiana.
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 date. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, go to idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules.
IDEM forecasts are based solely or in part on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov.
