Indiana Issues Air Quality Alert: Ozone Levels Unhealthy in Multiple Regions

Indianapolis, IN — Parts of Indiana will experience unhealthy air conditions on Thursday, September 18, 2025, as state officials extend an Air Quality Action Day due to elevated ozone levels.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) says the advisory covers Central/East Central, Southeast, and Southwest Indiana. Air quality in these areas is expected to reach levels considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” including children, seniors, and those with respiratory conditions.

Residents in the affected regions are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially during the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are predicted to peak. Sensitive individuals may experience shortness of breath, coughing, or other respiratory issues with prolonged exposure.

IDEM recommends reducing emissions by avoiding unnecessary vehicle trips, postponing refueling or mowing until evening, and conserving electricity when possible. Air quality forecasts and live updates are available at SmogWatch.IN.gov.

This week’s alert follows a trend of late-summer ozone spikes across the state. While northern and northwest Indiana are not currently under advisory, officials note that conditions can change quickly depending on weather patterns.

Residents in Indianapolis, Evansville, Bloomington, and surrounding areas within the advisory zone are urged to take precautions on Thursday.

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