This news item expired on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023, is a code ORANGE air quality action day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County.
During this code ORANGE, NO OPEN BURNING is allowed.
Children, teenagers, older adults, people with heart and lung disease such as asthma, and people who are active outdoors, are all considered sensitive groups to fine particle exposure. It is recommended that these groups limit prolonged or intense exertion outdoors and that they take frequent breaks.
This forecast is due to another round of Canadian wildfire smoke intrusion into North Carolina.
Note: Open Burning is generally PROHIBITED on Air Quality Action Days. Burning trash and other non-vegetative material is ALWAYS PROHIBITED.
For up-to-date forecasts and discussion, go to: airquality.climate.ncsu.edu.
Call the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency if you have any questions at (828) 250-6777.
General Guidance
If it looks or smells smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn, go for a run, or for kids to play outdoors.
If you see or smell smoke present, you should:
You can also care for the air by: driving less and incorporating carpools, public transit, and telecommuting; conserving electricity, packing or walking to lunch, not idling your car, and refueling or mowing after 6 p.m.