Heat Advisory in Effect

A heat wave continues with temperatures pushing 100 degrees and heat index values as high as 104 in Barrow today.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4.

In addition, the Georgia Clean Air Campaign has issued a code orange smog alert. People are advised to be aware of conditions and take precautions.

Heat indices are expected to reach up to 104 Wednesday and Thursday. Although oppressive conditions will be felt all day, the most extreme heat will occur during the afternoon and evening hours. Prolonged exposure to this heat can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken.

A heat advisory means that a period of dangerous heat is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create heat index readings of a least 104 degrees and very warm overnight temperatures. The National Weather Service offers the following advice.

• Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of direct sunlight. Remember the elderly, very young and people with heart conditions are most at risk in extreme heat. Friends, relatives and neighbors should check on people who may be at risk. Never leave any persons, especially infants or young children or animals, in a closed parked vehicle.

• When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light-weight, loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. To reduce risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency — call 911.

A code orange advisory means children, people who are sensitive to ozone and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone concentrations are highest.

The Air Quality Index  has five, color-coded levels: green or good (AQI 0 to 50), yellow or moderate (AQI 51 to 100), orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI 101-150), red or unhealthy  (AQI 151 to 200) and purple or very unhealthy (AQI 201 to 300).

The Clean Air Campaign issues smog alerts on days when the concentrations of either ozone or particle pollution — or both — are expected to reach unhealthy levels.

To help improve air quality, the Clean Air Campaign recommends the following steps to keep more cars off the road thereby reducing the amount of smog-forming vehicle emissions that contribute to poor air quality.

• Commuters can carpool, vanpool, walk, cycle, ride transit or telework.

• Businesses can encourage alternative commute options, offer incentives to use clean commutes and get free consulting services for doing this from The Clean Air Campaign.