CLEVELAND — As smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact Northeast Ohio, an Air Quality Alert has now been extended until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in the following counties:
- Ashtabula
- Cuyahoga
- Geauga
- Lake
- Lorain
- Medina
- Portage
- Summit
The advisory was activated because Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) says air quality levels may be "unhealthy for sensitive groups" during this period.
So what does an Air Quality Alert mean for you?
Air quality levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups during this period. 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.
Other tips during an Air Quality Alert include:
- Don’t idle: Turn off your engine
- Refill your gas tank after sunset
- Wait to mow the lawn
Additionally on Monday, the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) issued a health alert due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter caused in major part by the Canadian wildfires. CDPH recommends that individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens adhere to the following protocols:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short.
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
- When inside, keep the windows shut.
