Old North News

Smoke from wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina, and South Carolina is affecting air quality in western North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has expanded air quality alerts for the region.

A Code Red Air Quality Action Day will be in effect on Tuesday for Polk, Transylvania, and Henderson counties. In Rutherford County, a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day will be observed. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions.

Code Red indicates that prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for everyone. All residents should consider limiting outdoor activities involving heavy exertion. Those sensitive to air pollution, such as children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, should avoid outdoor exertion.

Code Orange signifies that air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. During these conditions, children, older adults, and people with asthma should limit outdoor activities involving heavy exertion.

The current alerts are valid until midnight Tuesday evening. However, DAQ meteorologists will continue monitoring the situation and may adjust or extend the alerts as needed. For updated air quality forecasts, visit the Air Quality Portal where DAQ meteorologists provide forecasts by 3 p.m. daily.

Wildfire smoke can contain elevated levels of PM2.5 particles that are smaller than a human hair's width. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, aggravating asthma and other lung conditions and have been linked to heart issues.

The DEQ website offers resources for staying safe around wildfire smoke.

State law prohibits open burning of yard waste or land clearing debris on Code Orange or higher Air Quality Action Days. To report violations of open burning rules, contact your county's DAQ regional office. This restriction is additional to any local or state burn bans; the N.C. Forest Service issued a statewide burn ban last Thursday.

For information in Spanish or another language, call 919-707-8446 or email Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov. Spanish information about the Air Quality Index is available from the EPA.