{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.c49434f8198512f90d88e2f73710213c97bbdfe3.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:36PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-18","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.c49434f8198512f90d88e2f73710213c97bbdfe3.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Lincoln IL"},"word_count":339,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:36PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Knox; Stark; Peoria; Marshall; Woodford; Fulton; Tazewell; McLean; Schuyler; Mason; Logan; De Witt; Piatt; Champaign; Vermilion; Cass; Menard; Scott; Morgan; Sangamon; Christian; Macon; Moultrie; Douglas; Coles; Edgar; Shelby; Cumberland; Clark; Effingham; Jasper; Crawford; Clay; Richland; Lawrence\n**Issued by:** NWS Lincoln IL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-18T12:36:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-18T12:36:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-19T12:45:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Areawide\nAir Pollution Action Day for Sunday July 19th for portions of\nIllinois.\n\nAn Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather conditions\nare such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels are forecast\nto be at OR ABOVE the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in\nall or nearly all Illinois AQI forecast sectors.\n\nAreas both inside and outside of the Action Day coverage area may\nexperience smoke/PM2.5 to a varying degree and duration both later\ntoday and Sunday. Those with air quality concerns or anyone in\nIllinois with outdoor plans is encouraged to check current NowCast\nreadings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow.gov. Before\ngoing outside, checking the NowCast AQI will help identify periods of\nboth poor and cleaner air quality regardless of the level of the\ndaily forecasted AQI.\n\nAQI Category Guidance\nUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) - Members of sensitive groups may\nexperience health effects. The general public is less likely to be\naffected.  Sensitive groups: Make outdoor activities shorter and less\nintense. Its OK to be active outdoors, but take more breaks. Watch\nfor symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with\nasthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine\nhandy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations,\nshortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem.\nIf you have any of these, contact your health care provider.\nUnhealthy - Sensitive groups: Avoid long or intense outdoor activities.\nConsider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.  Everyone else:\nReduce long or intense activities. Take more breaks during outdoor\nactivities.\n\nMedia Contact... Illinois EPA"}