DES MOINES -- The Iowa DNR has issued a statewide Air Quality Alert through 6 a.m. Thursday, June 5. The Air Quality Index (AQI) may reach the red or unhealthy category in affected areas.
Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires was pulled down to the surface early Tuesday morning and levels in northwestern Iowa have been measured in the unhealthy category for the last several hours. Sensitive groups of people as well as the general public may experience health effects at this level.
Intermittent thick smoke can be expected over Iowa with the heaviest band stretching across the state from the southwest through the northeast. This band will move south across the state today and tonight. Elevated levels of fine particulates may be a concern over the next several days as the smoke continues to move through the state.
The DNR recommends that people reduce long or intense activities, and take more breaks during outdoor activities until air quality conditions improve. This recommendation is especially pertinent to individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, and outdoor workers. People in these categories should consider rescheduling or moving outdoor activities indoors.
Real-time air quality maps and information about the air quality index can be found on EPA’s airnow.gov site. Detailed information about wildfire impacts on current air quality can be found at: https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/