The air quality alert issued earlier this week for Greater Cincinnati has been extended once again due to the Canadian wildfires, according to weather service officials.
The alert will now be in place until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 17.
Air quality across Ohio, as well as much of Northern Kentucky, may vary from the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category to the “Unhealthy” category. The National Weather Service alert recommends everyone avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.
For Greater Cincinnati, sensitive groups – people with respiratory diseases, children, older adults − should take extra caution, Hamilton County officials said. Some symptoms to watch for include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat and eyes.
Here’s what we know about ozone and smoke levels in Greater Cincinnati.
How long will the wildfire smoke last?
Smoke from Canada’s wildfires are hitting central and northern Ohio harder than southern Ohio, said Christina Boss, the Monitoring and Analysis section manager for the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency.
She said she’s hoping that the haziness is the extent of Greater Cincinnati’s impacts, unlike the summer of 2023 when Canadian wildfires posed a health risk to even those with healthy respiratory systems.
By Friday, July 17, Columbus’ air is expected to worsen while Dayton’s is expected to improve, according to a federal map that aggregates local air quality data.
But it’s possible that Dayton’s prediction is based on old numbers, said Boss.
‘Thick haze’ from soot, not ozone
It’s the third consecutive day Hamilton County warned the air could pose a risk to sensitive groups.
However, Boss said those alerts have been related to ozone concentration, which increases during the summer.
Ozone isn’t visible in the way soot and smoke are, Boss said. The “thick haze” you may have noticed this morning over the Ohio River Valley is because of Canada’s wildfires, she said.
What to do when particulates are high
When particulates exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards, Boss said it’s best to limit your time outside and avoid contributing to pollution.
You can receive air quality alerts for Hamilton County by signing up at enviroflash.info/signup.cfm, Boss said.
She encouraged anyone to seek medical help if they notice any respiratory symptoms.
Enquirer reporter Matthew Cupelli contributed.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Greater Cincinnati air quality alert extended due to Canadian wildfires
Reporting by Jane Park, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Jane Park, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
