Wildfire smoke obscures a sunset in central Nebraska, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — Air quality dipped in the Tri-Cities region and a formal alert has been issued for areas to the east as wildfire smoke has filtered into central Nebraska.
The Air Quality Alert was already in effect for eastern Nebraska and areas just east of the Tri-Cities was set to expire at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. Towns in Central Nebraska under the alert include Aurora, Harvard, Clay Center, etc.
In the Tri-Cities, Kearney’s air quality was in the yellow at 97 and Grand Island’s was also in the yellow at 70. No information was available for Hastings, but Kenesaw was in the orange at 107.
“An alert for possible Moderate (Air Quality Index yellow category) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (Air Quality Index orange category) due to smoke has been issued,” per the National Weather Service – Hastings.
“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,” per NWS Hastings.
“During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (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,” NWS Hastings stated.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires may affect the air quality in Nebraska. Smoke levels and wind directions are monitored by Nebraska and other states to predict when impacts to the air quality may occur.
