AQ_GEN_PIO_20230422_MISC_PressRls

Website: www.deq.nc.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncdeq
Twitter: @NCDEQ
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601

Roy Cooper, Governor Elizabeth S. Biser, Secretary

Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Shawn Taylor Date: April 22, 2023 Phone: [phone]

DEQ Issues Air Quality Alerts for 21 Eastern NC Counties due to Croatan National Forest Fire
RALEIGH – Air quality across much of eastern North Carolina is under Code Orange, Code Red or Code
Purple alerts due to smoke and ash from the active wildfire in the Croatan National Forest. Anyone who can see
or smell smoke is encouraged to limit time outdoors.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality issued the air quality alerts Friday
evening in response to the rapidly developing and uncontrolled fire in southwest Craven County. The fire is
producing a large plume of heavy smoke across the area.
Both Craven and Jones counties are under a Code Purple Air Quality alert. All residents should avoid outdoor
exercise and limit their time outside until conditions improve.
Code Red conditions are possible further north over Pitt, Beaufort and Pamlico counties. In Code Red, some
people may experience health effects from prolonged exposure to polluted air. Sensitive populations, including
older adults, younger children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, are more likely to be
impacted and should avoid outdoor exercise.
Website: www.deq.nc.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncdeq
Twitter: @NCDEQ
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
Code Orange conditions will be possible over a broad swath of eastern North Carolina, including Carteret and
Onslow counties. Sensitive populations may still experience health impacts when outdoors for prolonged times in
these conditions.
A passing cold front late Saturday is hoped to push this smoke to the east. These alerts will remain in effect until
midnight Saturday.
This is a rapidly developing situation. For the latest air quality information, visit the Air Quality Portal online.
DEQ’s website has a list of resources for keeping safe around wildfire smoke.
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