Key takeaways:
- Indiana has seen repeated Air Quality Action Days, with recent alerts affecting northern counties as smoke lingers across the state.
- Smoke exposure increases sinus pressure, throat irritation, and sleep disruption.
- ADVENT’s nose-first approach restores natural nasal breathing through treatments like balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction.
The air might look clear, but for many across Indiana, it hasn’t felt right lately. From South Bend to Avon, residents have been dealing with stinging eyes, scratchy throats, and heavier-than-usual breathing, and it's not just allergies. Wildfire smoke from Canada has drifted into Indiana, pushing air quality into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range across large portions of the state.
In early June, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued Air Quality Action Days for more than 25 counties across northern and central Indiana. On Tuesday, August 5, IDEM issued a new Air Quality Action Day for northern Indiana as wildfire smoke continued to impact the region. That meant a familiar mix of smoke haze, a burning smell in the air, and increased reports of sore throats, sinus pressure, and sleep disruption. And while official alerts come and go, the symptoms can last.
What the Wildfire Smoke is Doing to Your Nose
Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that can bypass your body’s defenses when your nose isn’t working properly. And in Indiana, that’s especially challenging during smoky weeks like this one when many people are commuting on I-69, working outside, or spending time in areas near industrial corridors or agricultural burn zones.
According to Paul Cleland, PA-C of ADVENT Dublin, patients should be especially alert if their quality of life is affected by smoke-related symptoms like nasal swelling, congestion, or difficulty breathing. If your sinuses are already inflamed, or if you live with a deviated septum, chronic congestion, or allergies, your nose may not be able to do its job: filtering out irritants before they reach your lungs. That leaves you more exposed and more likely to feel the effects.
Hoosiers may be experiencing:
- Sinus pressure
- Persistent post-nasal drip
- Dry mouth
- Snoring
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes
And even indoors, these symptoms can continue, especially in homes near major roads or open fields where particles travel easily and linger.
Small Ways to Help Your Airway Around Wildfire Smoke
When air quality drops like it has this week, simple steps can help protect your airway:
- Use a saline rinse daily to clear out particles and calm inflammation
- Keep windows closed, even in the evening or after storms
- Run a HEPA air purifier in rooms where you sleep or work
- Upgrade your HVAC filters to MERV-13 or higher
- Avoid yardwork or outdoor chores during active air quality alerts
- Limit time outdoors, especially if you're near major corridors like I-80/94 or open agricultural areas
“Use frequent sinus saline rinses (2–3 times daily) to clean the nasal tissue,” recommends Cleland. “Intranasal steroids can temporarily reduce inflammation and help you breathe better during smoky days.”
And most importantly: if symptoms don’t improve when the smoke clears, there may be an underlying issue with your nose or sinuses that’s making the situation worse.
How ADVENT Can Help
At ADVENT, we specialize in nose-first care, helping your body do what it’s designed to do naturally: breathe well and filter air before it travels deeper.
If you’re constantly congested, snoring more when the air quality drops, or waking up tired and dry-mouthed, you may be dealing with a nasal blockage or inflammation that’s been overlooked. Our office-based solutions, including balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction, are designed to restore healthy nasal airflow so you can breathe easier, sleep better, and protect yourself from environmental triggers like wildfire smoke.
If smoke in the air is making your sinuses scream or your nights restless, you don’t have to wait for the wind to change. Schedule an appointment at one of our Indiana clinics.
References
ABC57 News. (2025, August 4). Canadian wildfire smoke causes IDEM to forecast Air Quality Action Day for Tuesday. https://www.abc57.com/news/canadian-wildfire-smoke-causes-idem-to-forecast-air-quality-action-day-for-tuesday
Cleland P. (2025). Personal interview.
Country Herald. (2025, August 1). Indiana Air Quality Alert: PM₂.₅ Levels Remain Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Through Saturday. https://countryherald.com/news/indiana-air-quality-alert-pm-2-5-levels-remain-unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups-through-saturday-august-2/
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) (June 5-6, 2025). IDEM extends Air Quality Action Day through Friday in three Indiana regions. https://events.in.gov/event/idem-extends-air-quality-action-day-through-friday-in-three-indiana-regions
WISH-TV Indianapolis. (2025, June 5-6). Indiana, Michigan issue air quality alerts due to Canadian wildfires smoke. https://www.wishtv.com/weather/weather-stories/indiana-michigan-issue-air-quality-alerts-due-to-canadian-wildfires-smoke/