More Than 13,000 Children Warned Against Outdoor Exposure in One State
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North Carolina officials issued an air quality alert across three western counties on Sunday, advising some residents to limit outdoor activity through midnight Tuesday because of the presence of unhealthy levels of smoke from nearby wildfires. The advisory particularly impacts children and other sensitive groups in Swain, Graham and McDowell counties.
The Code Orange alert, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), signals that air pollution levels are "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, could approach or exceed federally recognized unsafe levels.
Why It Matters
The alert affects thousands of young residents across the mountainous western region of North Carolina, where smoke from ongoing wildfires has continued to worsen air quality. Public health officials say prolonged exposure to fine particles in wildfire smoke can aggravate conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and other heart or lung diseases.
Children are among the most vulnerable because of their developing respiratory systems and tendency to spend more time outdoors.
What to Know
The official advisory from NCDEQ went into effect at 3:17 p.m. Sunday and remains active through midnight Tuesday.
The air quality alert includes the cities of Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Ashford, Sugar Hill, Woodlawn, Old Fort, Marion, Nebo, Dysartsville, Fero, and Glenwood. According to U.S. Census data, there are more than 13,000 children under 18 years old across the three counties.
A map from AirNow shows which parts of North Carolina could see air quality that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Monday.
A map from AirNow shows which parts of North Carolina could see air quality that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Monday.
AirNow
"Code Orange Air Quality Action Day will remain in effect... due to ongoing smoke from wildfires in those counties," NCDEQ wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
Under Code Orange conditions, sensitive groups—including children, the elderly and those with preexisting heart or lung conditions—are advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
A NCDEQ spokesperson told Newsweek that daily air quality forecasts are released around 3 p.m. for the following day.
School districts and caregivers in the affected zones are encouraged to follow EPA-issued guidelines to reduce children's exposure. The agency recommends keeping children indoors during recess, rescheduling outdoor athletic activities, and using air filters in homes and classrooms.
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for the North Carolina DEQ said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday: "Code Orange is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups including older adults, children, and those with heart or lung conditions like asthma. These groups experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors."
The spokesperson added: "Please continue to monitor the air quality in your area as you plan your outdoor activities."
AirNow in a description for orange-coded air quality: "Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected."
What Happens Next
The NCDEQ urged residents to continue monitoring air quality through the state's climate portal, which is regularly updated. If wildfire conditions persist or worsen, alerts may be extended or expanded to additional counties.
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