ACTION DAY ALERTS

Local air quality affects how we live and breathe. During the months of May through September, air quality in the Northern Shenandoah Valley may occasionally reach unhealthy levels due to high concentrations of ground level ozone.

Air Quality Action Days are designated for Frederick County and the City of Winchester when ground-level ozone concentrations are forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, or Code Orange on the Air Quality Index. Air Quality Action Day alerts are distributed to the local media. Air quality alerts are also available through the Department of Environmental Quality.

If you would like to only receive email alerts when it is an Air Quality Action Day (code orange or worse), contact us to be added to the email list.

 

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WHAT TO DO ON ALERT DAYS

To Protect Our Health

Remain indoors in a cool place.
The EPA recommends limited outdoor activities as ozone levels rise to unhealthy levels.

To Protect the Environment

Reduce car emissions:

    • Take mass transit
    • Telecommute
    • Carpool
    • Combine errands into one trip
    • Limit driving
    • Bicycle or walk instead
    • Refuel when it’s cool! (after sunset or after air quality improves)
    • Defer lawn gardening chores that use gasoline-powered equipment
    • Postpone using oil-based paints
    • Postpone using aerosols
    • Start charcoal with an electric or chimney-type fire starter instead of lighter fluid

10 SIMPLE STEPS TO CLEANER AIR

    • Gas up your vehicle at night
    • Keep your automobile maintained
    • Reduce your idling while waiting by turning off your engine when possible
    • Trip Chain by organizing and combining several errands into one outing
    • Avoid lawn mowing on Air Quality Action Days, unless you have an electric mower
    • Limit charcoal grill usage on Alert Days
    • Carpool
    • Don’t top off the tank when filling up with gas
    • Walk or ride your bike when possible