This news item expired on Sunday, March 30, 2025 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 are a code RED air quality action days in Buncombe County.
A code red indicates unhealthy air quality. Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, pregnant people, minorities, and outdoor workers should:
- Avoid long or intense outdoor activities.
- Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.
Everyone else should reduce long or intense activities and take more breaks during outdoor activities.
This is due to reported wildfires in and around Buncombe County. As a reminder, if you smell smoke, you are likely experiencing air quality that is worse than what is forecasted, and you should avoid outdoor activities. There is also a statewide burning ban that is still in effect.
Please note: neighboring Henderson and Transylvania counties are under Code Purple today, which is very unhealthy and the risk for health effects is increased for everyone at those counties.
To see more details on how you can protect yourself, see this guide or download it below.
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.