The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is warning residents to prepare for poor air quality as fireworks fill the skies over the Independence Day holiday. An air quality advisory has been issued because smoke from fireworks is expected to push pollution levels into unhealthy ranges beginning the evening of July 3 and continuing through the morning of July 5.
“The current National Weather Service forecast calls for breezy conditions with the potential for thunderstorms the night of July 3, which should help move smoke out of the area and help limit the severity and duration of poor air quality Friday night,” says Air Quality Section Supervisor Gary Bergstrom.
But Bergstrom says Saturday night could be a different story. “Wind speeds on the night of July 4 are predicted to be much lower, which is likely to result in much higher levels of smoke in the air that may linger into Sunday morning,” Bergstrom says. “Breathing smoke can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause chest pain in some people with heart disease.”
The health department says children, older adults, and people with asthma, lung disease, or heart conditions are especially vulnerable when smoke levels rise. Officials recommend limiting time outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed, using HEPA air filters if available, and setting vehicle air systems to recirculate.
Fireworks are permitted in Lincoln from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Residents can monitor current air quality conditions through the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map and the AirNow smartphone app. Click here to link to the map.