Due to the smoke drifting from the wildfires in Canada, and the summer heat and humidity, an air quality alert has been issued for the region. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert Friday for Northwestern and Central Virginia. A Code Red Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthy for the general population. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
Children, seniors and anyone with respiratory issues should limit time outdoors. We ask that you limit, take caution and plan accordingly on any outdoor recreation activities today and potentially through the weekend. For those needing KN95 masks to help mitigate the air quality when they are outside, we have a supply available at the security desk at the Nelson County Courthouse located at 84 Courthouse Square, Lovingston, VA 22949. After hours, citizens can come to the after hours entrance and the Emergency Communications Center will have a supply as well. For those on the west side of the county, Wintergreen Fire & Rescue will have masks available in their lobbies as well.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the Virginia DEQ air quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov
