Update: Air Quality in Youngstown Area ‘Unhealthy’ Due to Wildfires

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The air quality in the Youngstown area was designated “unhealthy” Monday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on Monday issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory as smoke from the wildfires again continues to adversely affect air quality. The advisory is in effect through the end of the day. 

The Ohio EPA expects the Air Quality Index to be in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “unhealthy” ranges, according to a news release. When air quality is in this range, people who are in sensitive groups – due to medical conditions, exposure conditions or innate susceptibility – may experience health effects during outdoor activities.

Real-time air quality can be viewed HERE.

As reported by the Associated Press, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sunday posted air quality alerts for several states stretching from Montana to Ohio.

“Air Quality alerts are in place for much of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and northern High Plains,” the National Weather Service said. “This is due to the lingering thick concentration of Canadian wildfire smoke over these regions. While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wain by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pictured at top: Downtown Youngstown.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.