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BISMARCK,
N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality advises
residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to consider
limiting prolonged outdoor activities due to smoky conditions.
Wildfires in the western United States and Canada are sending smoke
across parts of North Dakota.
Environmental
Quality closely monitors its statewide air sampling network, which
contributes data into AirNow, the national Air Quality monitoring
system, ensuring the public is well-informed and can take necessary
precautions. For up-to-date information on the region’s air quality,
visit fire.airnow.gov.
Revised in
May 2024, the AQI color designations now include updated ranges:
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Yellow
– Moderate
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Orange
– Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
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Red
– Unhealthy
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Purple
– Very Unhealthy
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Maroon
– Hazardous
Environmental
Quality advises everyone to use common sense when wildfire smoke
adversely impacts air quality. When air quality is in the “unhealthy
for sensitive groups” to “unhealthy” range, people who are in sensitive
groups (including those with respiratory conditions, the elderly and
young children) may experience health effects during outdoor
activities. To decrease the potential for health issues, sensitive
groups of people should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
People reacting to smoke to the extent that it affects breathing should
seek immediate help from a medical provider. What you should do depends
on the air quality index and your personal health status.
If you see
or smell smoke, ways to protect your health include:
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Staying indoors with
windows and doors closed until smoke levels
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Reducing
outdoor physical
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Setting
air conditioning units and car vents to re-circulate to prevent
outdoor air from entering.
For
real-time information on air quality and respiratory protection during
smoke events, visit fire.airnow.gov. The AirNow mobile app
and many weather apps also provide air quality updates.
Additional
Resources
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