Summer-like heat and smoke from fires in Canada has prompted an ozone alert for southern Indiana.
The Environmental Protection Agency says ozone levels in Evansville and Vanderburgh County may reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range the EPA established for the 8-hour Ozone Standard.
In a news release, the agency says abundant sunshine, light winds, and smoke from Canadian fires helped create the risk.
The EPA recommends children, older adults, those with respiratory conditions, and anybody who is active outdoors to limit prolonged exertion, especially between noon and 7:00 p.m.
Officials urge you to conserve electricity, limit driving and idling, use public transit, postpone refueling your vehicle until after 6:00 p.m. if possible, and wait until after 6:00 to use gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
Open burning is prohibited during air quality alerts.
Cooking with gas or charcoal grills is allowed, but delaying until after 6 p.m. is recommended.
Central and Southeastern Indiana will be under the same Ozone Alert on Thursday.