BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Smoke plumes moving throughout the tri-county region has the state environmental agency intensifying its alerts.
What was once considered in the orange zone, Brunswick County is now marked red as of Friday morning, meaning it’s considered unhealthy for everyone outside, not just those with sensitivities to smoke inhalation.
The smoke is moving downward from the Pulp Road fire near Green Swamp Preserve in Supply.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) said in a press release the code red is in effect until midnight. New Hanover and Pender counties are in code orange.
Essentially, this means the high levels of fine particle pollution, PM2.5, is evident. They are smaller than the width of a human hair and can bury deep into the lungs, aggravating asthma or other lung issues.
It’s suggested that prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors is limited. Anyone sensitive to air pollution, including children, older adults and people with asthma, should avoid outdoors altogether.
This also means open burning is not allowed right now, including residential yard waste or land clearing debris. It affects Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. Violations can be reported by emailing shawn.taylor@deq.nc.gov.
Updates on the air quality can be accessed here.
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