North Carolina Wildfire Threatens Air Quality

For almost two weeks a wildfire has been busy destroying thousands of acres of land in three eastern North Carolina counties, currently making it the largest wildfire in the nation. And at this time, less than half of it has been contained, according to reports on WRAL-TV.

Lightning in combination with dry conditions started the fire in Hyde County on June 1, and it has spread to nearby Washington and Tyrell counties. The three neighboring counties are on the Carolina Coast, but the continual burning coupled with wind has brought health hazards as far west as the Raleigh area as well as into parts of Virginia.

Residents all over central and eastern North Carolina have been facing low visibility due to the winds bringing the smoke further inland. And with the smoky air comes the burning odor; the pair makes for very unhealthy breathing and dangerous driving conditions. Several Coastal Plain counties, such as Nash, Edgecombe, Pitt, and Wilson, are currently under Dense Smoke Advisories. In Rocky Mount, located in both Nash and Edgecombe counties, a smoky haze has been clearly visible throughout the morning and an extremely strong, toxic burning odor is also present. Standing outdoors for just a moment can lead to headaches in burning in the throat or chest.

The young, elderly, and those with respiratory or heart health issues are encouraged to stay indoors. The small smoke particles spreading throughout the state can not only be taken into the lungs but also absorbed by the bloodstream, both leading to potentially major problems for citizens with cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses. If at all possible it is also important to not leave pets outdoors; bring them inside or find a friend or family member who can take them in until the air quality improves. If being evacuated from an area that the wildfire is threatening, you can also consult this list to find shelters and organizations that will take your pets.

The North Carolina Division of Air Quality has issued Code Red and Code Orange warnings for unhealthy air quality, stating that the dangerous smoke particles have led to air monitors recording "the highest measurements ever observed in Raleigh for fine particles over a prolonged period." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have outlined ways to tell if the smoky conditions are adversely affecting your health, and citizens affected by the wildfire are urged to take note of these symptoms:

-Coughing
-Scratchy throat
-Irritated sinuses
-Shortness of breath
-Chest pain
-Headache
-Stinging eyes
-Runny nose
-Asthma exacerbations

Taking precautions are necessary not only for those whose lives and properties are directly threatened by the blaze, but also those further inland who are facing very poor air quality. At this time the wildfire is only about 40 percent contained, and North Carolina officials have said that the fire may not be completely contained until the end of July.