IOWA, USA — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued a new air quality advisory as wildfire smoke sweeps across the state.
The DNR expects the eastern half of the state will be most impacted for the rest of the week, but as of Thursday morning, central Iowa recorded fine particulates at concentrations deemed "unhealthy" by the EPA.
Fine particulate levels are expected to stay high throughout Thursday, especially east of I-35.
Air quality concerns may even continue later in the week, but smoke should slowly start to dissipate as the wind shifts direction to be more northerly.
Iowa DNR recommends people reduce long or intense outdoor activities while the air quality advisory is in effect.
This guidance is especially true for sensitive groups of people, including:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Children and teenagers
- Outdoor workers
However, if fine particulate levels continue to rise, they may reach levels considered "unhealthy" even for the healthiest adults.
Some Eastern Iowa sports teams responded to the air quality advisory by calling off their games. The Cedar Rapids Community School District canceled all district home baseball and softball games earlier in the week on Tuesday.
To keep tabs on local air quality, it's useful to visit airnow.gov for the most up-to-date information.
The website allows users to type in their zip code for current air quality reports, as well as for future air quality forecasts.