CLEVELAND — The Air Quality Alert we've been under for the last several days continues again today as smoke from wildfires in Canada impacts the region.
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) has extended an Air Quality Advisory for multiple counties into Saturday. It was initially only issued for Wednesday, but has been in effect over the past three days.
Officials warn the air quality levels “will be unhealthy for sensitive groups."
“If you are in the sensitive groups category of children, the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, please monitor your outdoor activity and check air quality readings at airnow.gov,” NOACA says.
Here are the list of counties under the Air Quality Advisory on Friday:
- Ashtabula
- Cuyahoga
- Geauga
- Lake
- Lorain
- Medina
- Portage
- Summit
The Ohio EPA, meanwhile, ended a statewide Air Quality Advisory at the end of the day Thursday. "Smoke from Canadian wildfires is now having less of an impact throughout the state."
It’s also advised to drive less during the Air Quality Alert and to refuel your gas tank after sunset. Need to mow the lawn? It’s suggested to wait for that as well.
"Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, and it can aggravate health problems such as asthma, heart disease and lung disease," the National Weather Service adds.
Summit County Public Health also is warning residents to be precautions during the advisory.
"Summit County Public Health (SCPH) would like to take the opportunity to remind Summit County residents to take precautions and avoid being outside as much as possible over the next few days as the smoke from the Canadian wildfires enters Ohio. Wildfire smoke contains hazardous pollutants that include toxic gases and particulate matter, solid particles and liquid droplets that are produced when these fires burn through trees, buildings and other materials. While some particulate matter can be easily seen in the form of soot, smoke also carries smaller particles that can infiltrate the human body and affect health."
