OMAHA - Smoke associated with wildfires in Canada is triggering air quality alerts in eastern and central Nebraska and western Iowa.

The Department of Health and Human Services advises air quality in the moderate to unhealthy range for sensitive groups until late Friday afternoon.

Those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience health effects.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the smoke particles exceed air quality standards of 35 micrograms per cubic meter as measured over a 24-hour period.

Visit airnow.gov for air quality maps.

 

Here is a press release from Nebraska DHSS

 

An advisory of possible Moderate (yellow category) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange category) Air Quality Index (AQI) impacts may occur in Eastern and Central Nebraska, potentially affecting Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont, and Grand Island, the afternoon of July 31, 2025, through late afternoon of August 1, 2025. 

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.  

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, children and teenagers, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. When conditions rise to the orange category, sensitive groups are advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and avoid intense outdoor activities.

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 Water, Energy, and Environment’s (DWEE) 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.

States monitor 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), the states of Kansas and/or Oklahoma, smoke plume modeling, and from ambient air quality monitors located in Omaha, Blair, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff.

The following AQI is used. 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/. The Environmental Protection Agency's 'AirNow' smartphone app can also be used to track air quality and fire activity.?