As smoke continues its southward track from Canada, due to wildfires in the country, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s air quality division maintains North Carolinians exercise caution outside Thursday.
A code orange alert remains in effect across the entire state for Thursday, June 8. It’s a downgrade from code red for central cities in the state; however, New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick have been under a code orange since midnight Wednesday.
The alert could affect those with sensitivities to air pollution, including older adults, younger children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
The pollution contains particles, PM2.5, smaller than the width of a human hair that can bury deep into the lungs, aggravating lung issues.
Levels of PM2.5 have lowered since Tuesday, according to a release from NCDEQ.
“Our meteorologists will reevaluate the conditions on Thursday ahead of releasing Friday’s air quality forecast,” the release stated. “Smoky conditions may persist through Friday, but a low-pressure system is hoped to move smoke eastward going into the weekend.
More information can be found at the Air Quality Portal.
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