Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:43AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups' category in the southwest part of the state to the 'Unhealthy' category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the 'Very Unhealthy' to 'Hazardous' categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.
72° 72° chance Sat 88° Sat 88° chance 66° 66° Sun 80° Sun 80°
Friday, August 8th, 2008
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Jerry Bollenbacher looks out over the race track at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina as harness race driver Dean Ward takes his horse on a practice run Thursday afternoon. Bollenbacher has coordinated the harness races at the fair for nearly 20 years and is preparing for the upcoming competition Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Related online story:
The distinguishable smell of horses fills the speed office at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, where Jerry Bollenbacher and his helpers busily answer phones and greet harness racing drivers. [More]
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