For immediate release: June 5, 2025
Contact: Michael Brown 309-454-3169 x.11
Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, air quality in the Bloomington-Normal area has reached unhealthy levels, with an air quality index (AQI) of 156 on the Southwest Side of Bloomington. Any AQI above 150 is considered unhealthy for everyone. All residents should
stay indoors and avoid outdoor exposure whenever possible. Sensitive groups will feel health effects right away, and healthy groups will feel difficulty breathing and throat irritation. To avoid worsening air quality further, limit driving whenever possible and avoid using gaspowered
lawn equipment. If your air conditioner has a fresh air intake, switch it to the recirculate setting for the time being. If residents must go outdoors, consider wearing an N95 mask for respiratory protection.
To receive alerts when AQI reaches unhealthy levels, residents can sign up for Bloomington Normal Community Air Research and Education (BNCARE) text alerts at https://BNcare.org. This system uses real-time data from all 3 BNCARE air monitors and will send you texts when
local air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
Changing wildfire seasons in Canada means air quality events like this may become more frequent in McLean County. It is important for residents, especially those with sensitive health issues, to be informed on what to during events like these, when to stay inside, and when it is
safe to return outdoors. Any questions can be directed to members of the BNCARE team, contact information is available at BNcare.org.