Wildfire Smoke Covers Iowa in Thick, Unhealthy Haze

KEOKUK COUNTY – Smoke from Canadian wildfires spread across the midwest last week, covering Keokuk County in a thick, foul smelling haze. On June 27, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Advisory, effective through the 30th. The DNR recommended Iowans limit long or intense outdoor activites and take more breaks until air quality conditions improved. These recommendations are especially important for sensitive groups, such has young children, the eldery, and people with heart or lung conditions, although the DNR recommended even healthy adults limit outdoor activities. The DNR also recommended the wearing of masks for people forced to be outside for prolonged periods of time. The air in Keokuk County was clasified as Unhealthy, with the air quality in  other Iowa cities like Ceder Rapids and Davenport being clasified as Very Unhealthy. The haze cleared enough by Thursday evening for Keokuk County to be downgraded to Moderate.