Wildfires causing Code Orange air quality problems in the Triangle
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- If you have asthma or other breathing problems, then you're going to want to stay inside.
Smoke from the western North Carolina wildfires is causing Code Orange air quality conditions in the Triangle.
The Division of Air Quality does offer several ways to protect your health, including but not limited to:
1. Know the Code. Pay attention to the daily forecast at www.ncair.org
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
