AQ_GEN_PIO_20230606_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: June 6, 2023 Phone: [phone]

Widespread Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Issued due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke
RALEIGH – A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for much of North Carolina due to smoke
and fine particles from active wildfires in Canada.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) and the Forsyth County
Environmental Assistance and Protection issued the air quality alert beginning noon Tuesday. The alert will
remain in effect until midnight Wednesday.
All North Carolina counties are under the alert apart from southeastern North Carolina — specifically Robeson,
Bladen, Sampson, Duplin, Lenoir, Beaufort, Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret,
Jones, Craven and Pamlico counties, which are expected to remain in the upper Code Yellow range through
tonight. Southeastern North Carolina’s forecast for tomorrow will be reviewed later today and may be updated to
Code Orange as well.
Code Orange on the Air Quality Index indicates the potential for elevated levels of particle pollution that could
impact sensitive populations, including older adults, younger children and those with respiratory conditions such
as asthma. These groups may experience health impacts when outdoors for prolonged times during these
conditions and are recommended to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Website: www.deq.nc.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncdeq
Twitter: @NCDEQ
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
People unusually sensitive to air pollution may consider limiting their outdoor activities during a Code Yellow
alert.
Smoke and accompanying high levels of fine particulates have been carried downwind from Canada into North
Carolina on Tuesday. As the smoke continues to build into the state, high levels of fine particles are expected to
mix near ground level.
Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is comprised of particles smaller than the width of a human hair. These
particles can reach deep in the lungs and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions, and have also been linked
to heart conditions.
DAQ monitors and forecasts ozone and PM2.5 daily using the Air Quality Index (AQI), along with the
corresponding AQI color codes to help North Carolinians plan their outdoor activities. Next-day and extended
products are issued by 3 p.m. with a morning update by 10 a.m.
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.
Si necesita esta información en español por favor llame al 919-609-2189 o mande un correo a
[e-mail].
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