CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Charlotte and much of North Carolina because of more smoke from the continued Canadian wildfires.
By midday Thursday, Charlotte's air quality sensors had already reached a "Code Red" level, which means the measurements of particulates in the atmosphere had reached at least 150.
This is the second Code Red Air Quality Alert in Charlotte this year and only the third since November 2016.
You can expect to see more haze in the air over the Queen City. The haze reduces visibility and air quality.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a Code Red Air Quality index means everyone may begin to experience adverse health effects, and members of sensitive groups — such as people with asthma and other respiratory conditions — may experience serious effects. The EPA explains the AQI as a measurement from 0 to 500.
A Code Red alert runs from 151 to 200 on the AQI scale. Thursday's air quality forecast is a 151 but could register higher as more smoke fills the atmosphere over North Carolina.
People and pets should limit outdoor activity while a Code Red is in effect.
At home, keeping your windows closed and running the air conditioners will help filter your indoor air.
Sarav Arunachalam, a research professor with the Institute for the Environment at UNC Chapel Hill, said if people must go outside during these types of alerts, an N-95 mask like what is recommended to protect against COVID-19 can help. Otherwise, he suggests staying indoors and taking additional steps to safeguard the air inside.
"If you're driving on a high-air-pollution day like code red or code orange, make sure the car is on recirculate air and not getting outdoor air," Arunachalam said. "When you're indoors in a building, like a home or office, I think the regular HVAC is good, but also if you can get an indoor air filter, I think there are a lot of good filters that are available now in the market."
In 2016, a Code Red was issued due to wildfires burning nearby in western North Carolina. In the case this year, the fires are burning about 1,000 miles away in Canada.
WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.