Bloomington under excessive heat advisory until 8 p.m. Friday

Most of central Indiana, including Monroe County and Bloomington, is under an excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service until 8 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service indicated that temperatures could reach record levels not reached since the 1930s.

The heat index for central Indiana could reach as high as 106 degrees. People are advised to minimize time spent outside as much as possible and to drink lots of fluids. People and pets should absolutely not be left in cars.

Additionally, Bloomington and much of the rest of central Indiana is under an air quality alert and a fire weather alert. An air quality alert means that, due to heat and low levels of wind, normal activities are much more likely to release damaging levels of ozone into the atmosphere. People are advised to avoid driving or mowing as much as possible.

A fire weather alert indicates that conditions are favorable for the devlopment of fires. Much of Indiana is currently experiencing high temperatures, low humidity and a drought combined with wind, all of which are excellent conditions for a fire to form. Monroe County and most of the rest of Indiana are already under a no burn order.

— Zach Ammerman