MONTGOMERY — Due to continued unfavorable weather conditions and smoke associated with fires in southern Georgia and northern Florida, much of Alabama is expected to experience elevated levels of fine particle pollution over the next few days. Therefore, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is re-issuing the notification published last week to the public so that they may reduce outdoor activity as necessary.

ADEM meteorologists report that the wildfires, in conjunction with a high pressure system over the Southeast, and a lack of precipitation have created conditions that could affect the health and well-being of Alabamians, especially the elderly, young, or those with respiratory problems.

Updates on air quality conditions can be found through the ADEM website at http://adem.alabama.gov or through "Air Now," a site sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at http://www.airnow.gov. Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Air Resources Lab has issued a smoke forecast that attempts to target those areas most likely to be impacted by smoke plumes. This forecast, which can be viewed at http://www.arl.noaa.gov/data/web/fires/seast/29/smoke16.gif confirms that Alabama will likely be impacted by smoke over the foreseeable future.

ADEM continues to closely monitor the air quality situation statewide and provide daily air quality forecasts for Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville and Decatur throughout the spring and summer in an effort to educate the public and provide them with information to use in planning their daily activities.

These forecasts are issued Sunday through Friday and provide a prediction of the air quality for the following day. The forecasts consist of color-coded categories that reflect expected air quality levels and recommended actions for the general public.