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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Soaring heat over the next few days may blanket Fairfield County with unhealthy air, officials warned Thursday.
Air will be "unhealthy for sensitive groups," says the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which has issued a "Code Orange" for Thursday. By Friday, that could be raised to "Code Red," which means air is unhealthy for everyone.
Sensitive groups include adults and children who spend a lot of time outdoors, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, the agency says. It lists the following ways to improve air quality:
- Avoid mowing lawns with gasoline powered mowers.
- Carpool and/or take public transportation, when possible.
- Avoid refueling vehicles until after dusk.
- Conserve electricity and set air conditioners to 78 degrees.
A map of national air quality can be found here. The National Weather Service has also issued an "Air Quality Alert" through 11 p.m. Thursday. Temperatures in the 90s and dense humidity will make it feel hotter than 100 degrees Thursday and Friday, the Weather Service says. People most at risk of suffering heat-related illnesses are children, the eldery and anyone working outside during the hottest part of the day, the Weather Service says.
There is a slight chance of rain Friday and Saturday.
When's the last time it was this hot in Fairfield County?
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