MEDIA CONTACT
Amanda Woita, Department of Environment and Energy, (402) 471-4243;
amanda.woita@nebraska.gov
Alycia Davis, Department of Health and Human Services, (402) 471-1449;
alycia.davis@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE – Smoke associated with wildfires in the Western United States and Canada may affect the air quality in Nebraska.
Issued for: July 25, 2024, 1 PM through July 26, 2024, 9 AM
Affected Area: Central and Western Nebraska
Air Quality Index: Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI
Potential Air Quality Impacts from Wildfires
An advisory of possible Moderate (yellow) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) Air Quality Index (AQI) impacts may occur in central and western Nebraska, potentially affecting the cities of Broken Bow, Burwell, Chadron, Imperial, Lexington, McCook, North Platte, Sidney, Scottsbluff, Thedford, and Valentine, during the afternoon of July 25, 2024, through mid-morning July 26, 2024.
Moderate AQI (yellow)
During Moderate AQI (yellow category) conditions, those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience health effects. When conditions rise to the yellow category, those who are unusually sensitive are advised to consider shortening outdoor activities and reducing the intensity of these activities. Symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath are signs to take it easier.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (orange)
During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (orange category) conditions, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. When conditions rise to the orange category, sensitive groups are advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and avoid intense outdoor activities. Everyone else can remain active and adjust activity duration and intensity as needed.
Advisories are issued for areas of anticipated impact by notifying the media and local health departments and posting information on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy's (NDEE) webpages and social media sites. These advisories provide information to the public on the anticipated impacts and air quality and health resources to help citizens protect their health and minimize exposure to smoke.
The state monitors smoke levels and weather conditions to determine when impacts to air quality are anticipated. Advisories are based on data from the National Weather Service (NWS), smoke plume modeling, and ambient air quality monitors located in Omaha, Blair, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff.
The following Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to describe air quality and suggest actions individuals can take to protect their health. This AQI is used nationally and is available in real-time for Nebraska by visiting https://www.airnow.gov. For AQI readings at individual ambient air monitors and sensors, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov.
For more information on smoke awareness, visit NDEE's website at http://dee.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/AirSA
For more information on burn activity and a smoke outlook, visit NDEE's website at http://dee.ne.gov/Press.nsf/pages/AirSA-2
View seasonal news releases for information on the Flint Hills burns at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=583