Ozone Alert & Particulate Matter (PM) Alert

There is no Ozone Watch/Alert in effect unless you see a banner above.

What are Ozone and PM Alerts?

DEQ makes daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts for multiple cities in Oklahoma, including the OKC, Tulsa, and Lawton MSAs, as well as Seiling and McAlester. These forecasts are based on weather conditions and pollutant data from Air Quality Division monitors. DEQ issues an Ozone Alert or Particulate Matter (PM) Alert when the Ozone or PM AQI forecast for the next day is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange) or worse. DEQ notifies local councils of government who use their Ozone/PM Alert programs to spread the word to those in affected areas. DEQ is also announcing all alerts through our Air Quality Health Advisory email/text notifications.

People with lung diseases, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors may be particularly sensitive to ozone and PM. PM also affects people with heart diseases. Unhealthy levels of ozone and/or PM can lead to a variety of problems such as respiratory system irritation, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased susceptibility to infection, coughing or difficult breathing, and permanent lung damage. These symptoms are worsened by exercise and heavy activity. Learn your limits and consider limiting outdoor activity to the morning hours when ozone levels are lower. PM levels can be more variable in a day, so check this AirNow map for current conditions.

Unlike weather, high ozone is not inevitable. You can take steps to reduce your contribution to ozone formation on an Ozone Alert day. Individual actions can add up to reduce ozone pollution.

Ozone Alerts and PM Alerts Include Restrictions on Open Burning

Open burning is prohibited in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) when an Ozone Alert has been called. PM Alerts may be issued throughout the state or for a particular MSA. Open burning is prohibited for any county under a PM Alert. The affected counties for Ozone Alert areas are:

Ozone or PM Alert Area (MSA) Open burning prohibited for these counties
Central Oklahoma including OKC Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma
Northeast Oklahoma including Tulsa Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner
Southwest Oklahoma including Lawton Comanche and Cotton

For more information in your city, contact:

Lawton

  • Clean Air Lawton alerts aired on KSWO-TV, local radio stations, and the Lawton Constitution

Oklahoma City

  • Central Oklahoma Ozone Alert email and text alerts from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) – Phone: 405-234-ACOG (2264)
  • Embark Public Transit 405-235-RIDE (7433)

Tulsa