Code Orange Alert Air Quality Forecast Today in WNC

North Carolina -- June 8, 2023: Due to Canadian wildfire smoke and fine particle pollution North Carolina residents on are advised to use caution outdoors on Thursday. 

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality (DAQ) and the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection are declaring a state-wide Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, June 8. 

For the rest of Wednesday, central NC is under a Code Orange Air Quality Action Alert instead of a Code Red alert. 

Code Orange air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Older persons, children, and asthmatics should minimize outdoor activity. 

From https://www.deq.nc.gov/

The alerts signal the potential for health impacts from significantly elevated levels of fine particulate matter or PM2.5. PM2.5 is comprised of particles smaller than the width of a human hair. These particles can reach deep into the lungs and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions and have been linked to heart conditions. 

Smoke and accompanying high levels of PM2.5 started to be carried downwind from Canada into North Carolina on Tuesday, leading to levels in the Code Red range overnight and early on Wednesday. Since then, PM2.5 levels have lowered significantly but may remain in the Code Orange level Thursday. 

Our meteorologists will reevaluate the conditions on Thursday ahead of releasing Friday’s air quality forecast. Smoky conditions may persist through Friday, but a low-pressure system is hoped to move smoke eastward going into the weekend. 

Image from https://www.deq.nc.gov/

WNCTimes