Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada pushed the Air Quality Index above 150 across the Cincinnati metro area on Sunday, July 19, crossing into "unhealthy" territory and affecting West Chester Township and Liberty Township, which fall within the same regional air quality advisory zone.
The EPA confirmed the AQI topped 150 in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, according to WLWT reporter Kurt Knue. Butler County, home to both West Chester and Liberty townships, is covered by the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency's advisory for the ongoing smoke event.
At 150 on the EPA's zero-to-500 scale, air quality reaches the "red" or "unhealthy" tier. That's the first level where the general public faces increased risk from breathing outdoor air for extended periods.
By Sunday evening, the index had dropped into the 130s, still classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups." The EPA says that category poses the greatest risk for people with respiratory diseases, older adults, and pregnant women.
WLWT reported the smoke would persist into Monday, July 20. No specific clearance time has been announced.
How serious is the exposure?
Dr. Jonathan M. Tan, division chief of General Anesthesiology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told AccuWeather that, speaking generally about wildfire smoke exposure, a full day outdoors when the AQI is above 150 is "in the ballpark of [smoking] seven to nine cigarettes."
Roughly 900 wildfires were actively burning in Canada as of Friday, July 17, including 122 classified as "out of control," according to Time magazine. The National Weather Service said Friday that smoke would remain a concern through the weekend as northwesterly winds pushed it toward the northeastern quarter of the country.
What residents should do
The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency advisory covers Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio, along with several counties in Kentucky and Indiana. Residents should:
- Limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially exercise
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run air conditioning on recirculate if possible
- Check AQI readings for their ZIP code at AirNow.gov, where conditions update throughout the day as smoke shifts with wind patterns
Don't call 911 for the smell of smoke
Fire officials in the region have urged residents not to dial 911 solely to report the general outdoor smell of smoke or widespread haze. The Springfield Fire Rescue Division said on Thursday, July 17, that calling about the smoky smell ties up emergency lines and crews needed for actual emergencies. Residents should call 911 only if they see flames or smoke coming from a specific location.
Local agencies, including West Chester Fire and Liberty Township Fire, had not issued separate statements as of publication. Residents can monitor conditions and check forecasts at AirNow.gov.
