FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in Raleigh has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates for the entire state. The Code Orange is in effect until midnight Thursday and is expected to continue through Friday. An Air Quality Action Day means that Fine Particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
Smoky conditions will persist across North Carolina today, as the upper-level closed low continues to funnel Canadian wildfire smoke down across the eastern U.S. With continued light winds out of the north-northwest Friday and elevated fine particulate levels in our source airmass to the north, a widespread Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day will be in effect statewide from midnight June 7 to midnight June 8.
“All citizens should consider limiting outdoor activities where possible,” said Emergency Management Coordinator Garry Crumpler. “Citizens with preexisting conditions such as heart or lung disease should pay close attention as the air quality could exacerbate some conditions.”
The air quality index for Cumberland County Thursday is 115. A Code Orange, which is an air quality index from 101 – 151, is defined as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
To view interactive air quality maps and forecasts, visit the North Carolina Division of Air Quality website at airquality.climate.ncsu.edu.
For more information about Emergency Services, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/emergencyservices or Facebook.