Ozone Watch/Alert

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

What are Ozone Watches/Alerts?

DEQ makes daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts for the OKC, Tulsa, and Lawton MSA based on weather conditions and pollutant data from Air Quality Division monitors. DEQ issues an Ozone Watch/Alert when the ozone 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 Alert programs to spread the word to those in affected areas.

People with lung diseases, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors may be particularly sensitive to ozone. Unhealthy levels of ozone 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.

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

Ozone Watches/Alerts Include Restrictions on Open Burning

Open burning is prohibited in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) when an Ozone Watch/Alert has been called. The affected counties for Ozone Watch/Alert areas are:

Ozone Watch/Alert Area 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