An Air Quality Alert Is in Effect for Kentucky

Last night, I could feel it. I had a bit of headache, and my lips felt really dry. A month ago, I had COVID, and sometimes you have to deal with lingering effects once the brunt of that infection passes. Well, lingering smoke in the air certainly doesn't help.

The Raging Canadian Wildfires' Dire Effect on the United States

We're accustomed to seeing haze hang in the air during the summer months in Kentucky. The thing is, that haze is usually humidity. I don't care for "wet air" either, but it's preferable to smoke. And SMOKE is getting in our eyes, whether we notice or not, thanks to those Canadian wildfires. The following graphic from Natural Resources Canada shows how badly the fires are still raging up North:

This next one from firesmoke.ca gives you an idea of how badly the smoke is affecting us here in the United States. The darker the brown color, the heavier the smoke. By the way, click that link I gave you, in case you didn't. This screen grab is part of a smoke forecast that constantly moves.

Air Quality Alert for Kentucky

Consequently, an air quality alert has been issued for Kentucky, and I had a feeling this was coming. Yesterday evening, I saw the smoky haze develop almost as quickly as fog rolls in. Take a look at what Columbus OH has already been dealing with:

And earlier today, Indianapolis was listed as having the second worst air quality on the PLANET.

Here's what the National Weather Service says regarding this rarely-issued advisory:

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet has requested an
Air Quality Alert be issued for the state of Kentucky.

Everyone may experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups
may experience more serious health effects. Sensitive groups include
the elderly...children...persons with asthma or other breathing
problems...and persons with lung and heart disease. People in these
groups are advised to greatly limit their outdoor activities to
reduce their exposure to particulate pollution from Canadian
Wildfire Smoke.

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling it. And I hope that since this is only until midnight, this will all blow out of here, and soon.