Motorists Warned Against Driving in 4 States

Numerous air quality alerts have been issued in at least four states on Wednesday, advising motorists to avoid driving if possible. Much of the northwestern and central U.S. areas were experiencing hazy skies on Wednesday as wildfires burned in Oregon and Canada, contributing to the smoky air that prompted the alerts. With unhealthy air quality, people were advised to limit their physical activity and also take care not to worsen the air quality by avoiding certain actions. Air quality alerts warning against driving or suggesting that people telecommute or carpool were in place in Colorado, Arizona, Missouri and Texas. More From Newsweek Vault: What Is a Health Savings Account? In Colorado, air quality officials requested that motorists limit driving gas- and diesel-powered vehicles until at least 4 p.m. local time. "Warm and stagnant weather combined with increasing amounts of out-of-state wildfire smoke will result in ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations to possibly reach unhealthy levels for air quality," the alert said. "[Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment] requests that activities, such as driving non-ZEV vehicles (i.e., gas or diesel), be reduced to lessen the impacts on air quality." NWS meteorologist Russell Danielson told Newsweek that southwesterly winds are expected to bring clearer air into the Colorado area over the next few days, although he added that "smoke forecasting is really difficult" as it depends on how the wildfires behave. More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Top Health Savings Account (HSA) Providers Ozone pollution also was high in El Paso, Texas, prompting a similar warning. "You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive[-thru] lanes, conserving energy and keeping your vehicle properly tuned," the alert said. In Arizona, officials warned that ozone levels posed negative impacts on health that could worsen as the air quality continued to deteriorate. "Ozone is an air pollutant which can cause breathing difficulties for children, older adults, as well as persons with respiratory problems," the alert said, before urging people to carpool, telecommute or use mass transit instead of driving alone. An orange air quality forecast was in place in St. Louis, Missouri, signifying that ozone pollution could pose a health risk there as well. "If it is a regularly scheduled work day you are urged to consider telecommuting, carpooling, or utilizing public transit," the alert said. "Avoid excessive idling and do not top off when refueling motor vehicles. The use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment should be reduced or postponed until late in the day." Poor air quality from wildfire smoke was expected to remain over the central U.S. through Wednesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Boulder, Colorado, shared a forecast that revealed "some thinning" of the smoke by Thursday, with even better conditions expected by Friday.