COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH) — An Air Quality Alert was issued for Tuesday afternoon and evening for several counties in central Ohio, including Franklin. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission issued the alert, which will be in effect until 9 p.m. for the following counties:

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency reports that "levels of ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards."

The National Weather Service’s Chicago office attributed the alert to unhealthy ozone levels and lingering effects of smoke from wildfires in Canada.