A wildfire in Brunswick County is prompting air quality concerns as residents are advised to take necessary precautions. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Brunswick County and a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for New Hanover County.
These alerts are currently effective through midnight Saturday, though DAQ meteorologists will continue to monitor the situation and might adjust the alerts as needed. The latest air quality forecasts are available on the Air Quality Portal, with updates typically provided around 3 p.m. each day.
Under Code Red conditions, the air poses health risks to all individuals, particularly with prolonged exposure. Residents should avoid heavy outdoor exertion and take frequent breaks when outdoors. Sensitive individuals, including children, older adults, those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, are advised to avoid long periods outdoors entirely or reschedule activities.
Code Orange signifies air quality conditions that are particularly unhealthy for these sensitive groups. People who are sensitive to air pollution should minimize outdoor exertion and monitor their health for symptoms such as shortness of breath.
The wildfire, located near Boiling Springs Lake, is generating a significant smoke plume visible on satellite imagery and is expected to drift north-northeast at surface level. Smoke from wildfires can contain high levels of PM2.5 particles, which are smaller than a human hair and can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially aggravating existing health conditions like asthma and heart conditions.
For safety tips on dealing with wildfire smoke, residents can consult resources available on the DEQ’s website, with more detailed information on particle pollution also accessible through the EPA.
State regulations prohibit the open burning of yard waste or land-clearing debris during Code Orange or higher Air Quality Action Days. Violations can be reported to the DAQ regional office corresponding to the respective county.
