By GREGG MONTGOMERY
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Smoke from wildfires in Canada is expected to return to Indiana on Sunday, which has sparked an air-quality alert for all of the state.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) says Sunday’s air will have microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that can settle deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled.
Canada has reported more than 900 wildfires this spring and summer, with smoke sometimes pushing into the United States and parts of Europe, The Associated Press reports.
Central and northern Indiana had the same air alerts issued June 27, 28 and 29, with smoke putting the quality in the “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” categories, according to AirNow.gov. Hoosiers and visitors to Indiana saw the sky darkened for three days as the smoke decreased air temperatures and masked the sun from view. Storm Track 8’s eight-day forecast for Indianapolis predicts high temperatures in the upper 80s on Sunday with isolated thunderstorms possible.
On the three days in late June, people – particularly children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions – were asked to try to limit prolonged time outdoors. Authorities said a mask worn over the mouth and nose could help anyone who has to be outside.
IDEM also suggested people avoid burning wood, combine errands into single trips, avoid using gasoline-powered equipment, avoid letting vehicle engines idle, turn off lights, and set thermostats to as high as you can tolerate to reduce demand on the electrical grid.
The state’s Environmental Management website offers more advice on what to do, what leads to its Air Quality Action Days.
People can sign up for alerts at SmogWatch.IN.gov.