North Raleigh Today

Smoke from wildfires in South Carolina has prompted the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to issue air quality warnings for parts of western North Carolina. In Transylvania and Henderson Counties, air quality is forecasted to be "very unhealthy" on Friday, as indicated by the Code Purple alert. Buncombe, Swain, and Polk Counties are under a Code Red alert, while Henderson, Rutherford, and Macon Counties should expect Code Orange conditions. These forecasts take effect from midnight tonight and will last through the day on Friday. The warnings might be modified or extended depending on conditions. Residents can find updated forecasts by visiting the Air Quality Portal.

The multiple air quality levels represent varying degrees of health risk from prolonged exposure to smoke. "Code Purple is very unhealthy air quality. The general public is urged to avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups particularly susceptible to health impacts, including children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions, should avoid all outdoor physical activity in these conditions."

Regarding Code Red levels: "Prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. All residents should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and taking more breaks." For Code Orange: "Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart conditions should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath."

The Table Rock fire, along with other wildfires in the region, including several in Polk County, is producing significant smoke. PM2.5 particles, which make up smoke, pose health risks because they can penetrate deep into the lungs. They are known to aggravate conditions like asthma and have been linked to heart issues.

Open burning of yard waste or debris is prohibited on Air Quality Action Days classified as Code Orange or higher. Reports of violations can be submitted to the DAQ regional office serving each county. This state regulation supplements a statewide burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest Service on Thursday.

Additional resources on safety around wildfire smoke are available on the DEQ’s website. Information and updates are also accessible in Spanish by calling 919-707-8446 or emailing Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov. The EPA provides the Air Quality Index in Spanish as well.