Burn Ban at Elevations Above 4000 Feet Due to Code Orange Air Quality

Wednesday, July 26, is a code ORANGE air quality forecast day. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity.

An ORANGE forecast means NO OPEN BURNING is allowed at elevations above 4000 feet on Wednesday.

There is a YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County.  Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities.  

For up-to-date forecasts and discussion, visit airquality.climate.ncsu.edu.

Note: Open Burning is generally PROHIBITED on Air Quality Action Days. Burning trash and other non-vegetative material is ALWAYS PROHIBITED.

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:

• Check Your Current Air Quality at DAQ NC Ambient Information Reporter or EPA AirNow.
• Subscribe to Air Quality Forecasting at enviroflash.info.
• Learn how to make a DIY air cleaner and about air cleaners and filters in the home.

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.