Charlotte area under air quality alert with Canadian wildfire smoke moving in
Air around the Charlotte area this week could be dangerous to children, older adults and people with heart and lung disease, Mecklenburg County officials advised Monday afternoon.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to stall over the central Carolinas midday Tuesday, allowing ozone levels to rise — along with temperatures — in Cabarrus, Union and Mecklenburg counties. More than 400 wildfires scorched central Canada this weekend, according to BBC News.
While it is still OK to go outside, people should limit their time and take breaks, according to Mecklenburg County’s Air Quality Commission.
When ozone is high in the atmosphere, it shields people from the sun’s harmful rays. But when found in the lower atmosphere, ozone — the main ingredient in smog — can negatively affect people and the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards, levels shouldn’t exceed 70 ozone pollutants per one billion parts air. Mecklenburg County standards show exceedance above 64.
Ground-level ozone takes about eight hours to clear, according to the county — which issued a Code Orange air quality alert through Wednesday. All of North Carolina is expected to have a Code Yellow air quality alert through Thursday.
People can still go outside but should stay aware of conditions and make a point to take breaks from outdoor air, the county said.
This story was originally published June 5, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
