COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Emergency Management is warning the public to avoid any outside burning and to be careful with any equipment that could create sparks around dry vegetation due to an increased fire risk today.
A weather system is moving in from the west, bringing blustery winds with gusts reaching up to 30 mph this afternoon. Coupled with low humidity, this creates a heightened risk for brush and grass fires, emergency management officials said.
Columbus was also under an Air Quality Action Day until this morning due to levels of fine particles being the unhealthy range for sensitive groups.
PM2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM2.5 exposure or shorter-term risks from exposure to pollutants from a large smoke release.
Additional information about how smoke from fires can affect your health is available on U.S. EPA’s website: epa.gov/pm-pollution/how-smoke-fires-can-affect-your-health.
To read IDEM’s fact sheet on recommended actions, learn more about PM2.5 or sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
