(INDIANAPOLIS) – The warm weather has caused the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to issue an Air Quality Action Day for today.

IDEM says they are forecasting high ozone levels for today in Northeast Indiana's Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties.

IDEM is encouraging everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 Health crisis by making some changes to daily habits. They suggest walking or biking to work when possible; combine errands into one trip; avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline powered lawn equipment until after 7 PM; turn off your engine when idling more than 30 seconds, and conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or higher.

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.