(a) When weather conditions and/or concentration of an air contaminant or contaminants are such that immediate action is necessary to prevent further increases in air contamination or damage to life, property or environmental quality, the commissioner shall designate by order that a “Forecast,” “Alert I,” “Alert II” or “Emergency” stage of an air pollution episode exists. The commissioner shall have on file and make available the criteria used in determining the need to designate episodes.

(b) The commissioner may also designate by order that an episode exists when a single accident, occurrence or condition has resulted or is likely to result in damage to life, property or environmental quality.

(c) Once designated by the commissioner, an episode or any stage of an episode shall remain in effect until terminated by the commissioner.

(d) Any person who owns an air contamination source for which an episode action plan has been issued or approved shall take whatever actions are prescribed by his episode action plan when an air pollution episode is in effect.