Smoke from wildfires in South Carolina is predicted to significantly impact air quality in Western North Carolina, particularly in Transylvania County. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued an Air Quality Action Day forecast for Thursday, with various levels of concern for different counties.
Transylvania County faces a Code Purple warning, indicating very unhealthy air quality. Residents are advised to avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and individuals with asthma or heart conditions should avoid all outdoor physical activity.
Henderson, Swain, and Polk counties have been placed under a Code Red alert. Prolonged exposure to the air could be unhealthy for everyone in these areas. It is recommended that residents reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and take more breaks.
Rutherford County is under a Code Orange advisory, suggesting that air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. People in these categories should limit outdoor activities and monitor symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.
The smoke originates from the Table Rock fire in South Carolina and other wildfires across western North Carolina. This smoke carries fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can aggravate respiratory and heart conditions by penetrating deep into the lungs.
State law prohibits open burning of yard waste or land clearing debris on Air Quality Action Days when the code is Orange or higher. The N.C. Forest Service has also issued a burn ban for all of North Carolina due to current conditions.
For those needing information in Spanish or another language, contact 919-707-8446 or email Shawn.Taylor@deq.nc.gov. Additional resources on wildfire smoke safety are available on DEQ’s website.
