COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thick wildfire smoke has prompted the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to issue an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state, warning that unhealthy air conditions are expected to impact all Ohioans.
The advisory urges people in sensitive groups — including children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions — to avoid all outdoor activities. The Ohio EPA also recommends that everyone else limit prolonged time outdoors until air quality improves.
Unlike many air quality alerts that primarily affect vulnerable populations, this event is expected to impact everyone.
Forecasters expect the wildfire smoke to linger across much of Ohio through Friday before conditions begin to improve.
Residents can monitor current air quality conditions in their area using the AirNow website.
To help reduce additional air pollution during the advisory, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) recommends:
- Drive less whenever possible.
- Walk, bike, or use public transit.
- Work from home if available.
- Combine errands into a single trip.
- Refill gasoline tanks after sunset.
- Delay mowing the lawn until air quality improves.
Health officials advise anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, or worsening respiratory symptoms to move indoors and seek medical attention if symptoms become severe.
