{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.f5331a5366331e9eed5210c07342d00b4615f6b8.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued May 16 at 7:47AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-05-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.f5331a5366331e9eed5210c07342d00b4615f6b8.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Phoenix AZ"},"word_count":362,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued May 16 at 7:47AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Imperial County Southwest; Imperial County West; Imperial Valley\n**Issued by:** NWS Phoenix AZ\n**Sent:** 2026-05-16T07:47:00-07:00\n**Effective:** 2026-05-16T07:47:00-07:00\n**Expires:** 2026-05-18T00:00:00-07:00\n\n## Description\n* WHAT...The Imperial County APCD has extended an air quality alert\ndue to harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust.\nVisit https://www.aqmd.gov/alertinfo to check current and forecasted\nair quality levels.\n\n* WHERE...the Imperial Valley. Levels of particle pollution can vary\nby time and location depending on emissions and local weather\nconditions.\n\n* WHEN...from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2026 and\nSunday, May 17, 2026.\n\n* IMPACTS... Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and\ncause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung\ndisease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections. Everyone\ncan be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or\nheart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and\nthose who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.\n\n## Instructions\nTo protect your health, check air quality levels and act as needed:\n\n* When Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are \"Unhealthy for\nSensitive Groups\" (orange), sensitive groups as specified\nabove should limit extended or intense outdoor activity.\n* When AQI is \"Unhealthy\" (red), everyone may experience health\nimpacts. Sensitive groups should avoid extended time outdoors.\n* When AQI is \"Very Unhealthy\" (purple), sensitive groups should\navoid all outdoor physical activity. Everyone else should\navoid extended or intense outdoor activity.\n* When AQI is \"Hazardous\" (maroon), everyone should avoid all\noutdoor physical activity.\n\n* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...\n\nTo help keep indoor air clean when air quality is poor:\n\n* Keep windows and doors closed\n* Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier\n* Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in\noutside air if you have other methods to stay cool\n* Avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles,\nincense, grilling, and gasoline-powered lawn and garden\nequipment\n\nTo help minimize outdoor particle pollution levels:\n\n* Carpool, telecommute, reduce trips, or take public\ntransportation\n* Slow down if driving on dirt roads\n* Stabilize loose soils"}