Scientists at North Carolina's Department Environmental Quality Air Division are warning residents in the Triangle of an increased presence of that smoke cloud, especially as winds change from the west which could push the cloud east over our area.
They add that what's dangerous about the smoke is what the eye can't see.
WATCH: The latest on the western NC wildfires
Latest on the NC wildfires
"We're talking about stuff that's 1/100th or even less than that of a human hair," DEQ specialist Elliot Tardiff explained to ABC11. "They are really, really tiny. When you get a lot of those in the air and you breathe those in, that's where health problems can happen."
Those particles are mixture of very small solids and liquids suspended in air, and they typically are caused by forest fires.
Some of the health problems that could result from exposure to particle pollution are burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. The smoke can certainly aggravate some chronic conditions such as asthma and emphysema.
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"The science is the same as wood burning in a bonfire, except these wildfires are so much bigger than that," Tardiff added.
The DEQ posts at least two air quality forecasts a day -- one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Much of the Triangle has been under a Code Yellow alert, which says "unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Heading toward Charlotte, the alerts turn to Code Orange (children, active people. older adults, and those with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors).
West of Charlotte and toward the mountains, however, the alert is raised to Code Red, a warning to everyone to avoid strenuous work or exercise outside.
The Division of Air Quality does offer several ways to protect your health, including but not limited to:
- Know the Code. Pay attention to the daily forecast at www.ncair.org
- Know your body. Be aware of any health conditions that may increase your risk. Notice if you experience breathing difficulties or other problems on bad air days.
- Limit your outdoor physical activity on Code Orange or worse days, especially if you're a member of a sensitive group. Pollution exposure depends on the length of time and level of exertion. Any activity that raises your breathing (and heart) rate increases your risk. You don't need to stay indoors, but "take it easy" outdoors to reduce your risk.
- If you have a heart condition, use special caution on forecasted high particle pollution days. Particle pollution can be high at any time of day or night, unlike ozone pollution, which is highest in the afternoons. Particles can also penetrate indoors, unlike ozone, so indoor particle levels may be higher than normal on high particle pollution days. Limit indoor exertion, as well as outdoor exertion, on forecasted high particle days.
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