{"id":131400,"date":"2026-07-16T04:54:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T04:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/131400\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T04:54:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T04:54:14","slug":"canadian-wildfire-smoke-arriving-in-the-carolinas-and-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/131400\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian wildfire smoke arriving in the Carolinas and Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is alerting travelers and residents in the Northeast states that air quality alerts are in effect due to wildfire smoke. Wildfires in the Canadian provinces just over the border from International Falls, Minnesota and fires burning in the Northern Plains and the western United States are bringing smoke over the Great Lakes into the Northeastern United States. Wildfire Smoke Coming to the CarolinasPotential Near-Surface Smoke Concentrations for FridayLower concentrations of wildfire smoke from fires burning in the Northern Plains and Canada are helping bring a Code Yellow or moderate air quality risk for North Carolina. Smoke concentrations are heavier in the Northeast and are mostly lifted aloft in Virginia and the Carolinas. This level of concern means health impacts are possible for unusually sensitive individuals for the next couple of days. Wind direction, speed and the location of a surface high-pressure pattern will help the Canadian wildfire smoke linger over Virginia and the Carolinas through the weekend. While the highest concentrations may remain elevated in the atmosphere on Thursday, more smoke is expected to mix down toward the surface around the Piedmont Triad on Friday.Current smoke concentrations near the surface According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) as of July 15, firefighters report that more than 48 large uncontained fires are burning, with suppression efforts underway, and four new large wildland fires have been reported in the United States. So far this season, 686,370 acres have burned.The states with the greatest number of large wildland fires this week include Alaska, Colorado, California and Minnesota. North Carolina has reported two wildfires just this week. Firefighters are also monitoring the risk of lightning-sparked wildfires as monsoonal flow over parts of the desert Southwest brings wet and dry thunderstorms this time of the year. You can explore current wildfires by using the AirNow.gov Fire and Smoke Map, where you will find smoke outlooks and forecasts for smoke plumes.PARTICULATE MATTER (PM): CODE YELLOWCurrent air quality in North Carolina and VirginiaThe Forsyth County Environmental Assistance and Protection forecast for air quality includes fine particles from wildfire smoke pollution. The local forecast shows higher concentrations between 52 and 100 on the Air Quality Index (AQI); these levels could impact the health of unusually sensitive groups. However, hourly readings at individual air monitoring sites may reach Code Orange. Greensboro reached this level on Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. Current forecast models we are monitoring in the WXII 12 First Warning Weather Center depict near-surface smoke concentrations with heavier particle pollution arriving on Friday. Greensboro Air Quality NowWinston-Salem Air Quality NowThe numerical value represents the concentration of 1 microgram of particulate matter within a cubic meter of air. If the AQI reaches between 101 and 150, a Code Orange for PM 2.5, fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, the air quality poses a greater health risk to more residents in North Carolina because the particles can be inhaled and then lodged deep within our lungs, respiratory tracts, and even our bloodstreams. To find out more about particle pollution levels and your forecast, you can enter your city or ZIP code on AirNow.gov or check the Forsyth Environmental Assistance and Protection Agency here.GROUND-LEVEL OZONEIn addition to PM 2.5 increases, ground-level ozone will rise into the moderate range with hotter temperatures and mostly sunny skies forecast through the start of the weekend. United States Environmental Protection Agency tips include ways to reduce surface pollution: limit driving, avoid allowing vehicles to idle, refuel vehicles during the early morning or after sunset, reduce electricity usage, and reduce the use of gas-powered lawn equipment during the air quality concerns. Ozone levels may remain at Code Yellow; the yellow level is typical in North Carolina for the summer months. Ozone forms near the surface when sunshine, hot temperatures in the 80s or higher, and pollution from vehicles and industry cause a chemical reaction.HEALTH CONCERNSPollution can create long-term health problems. People with asthma, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions are encouraged to reduce prolonged as well as heavy outdoor exertion in North Carolina during Code Orange Air Quality Days, and they may be unusually sensitive to moderate air quality during Code Yellow Days. Other residents who tend to be more sensitive to elevated pollutant levels also include older adults, young children, teenagers, outdoor enthusiasts, and outdoor workers. To prevent breathing difficulties, individuals sensitive to fine particles may consider adjusting their daily routine by reducing time outdoors and using air purifiers inside their homes.AIR QUALITY FORECASTPeriods of higher air pollution are possible this weekend through early next week. Changes in the weather pattern and fluctuations in smoke concentrations at times may help bring periods of healthier air quality once rain or fronts arrive early next week. Sunshine and warmer highs in the 90s are forecast to increase ozone production during the typical hours of 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. daily, with at least Code Yellow levels likely.Weather stories\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tWINSTON-SALEM, N.C. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is alerting travelers and residents in the Northeast states that air quality alerts are in effect due to wildfire smoke. Wildfires in the Canadian provinces just over the border from International Falls, Minnesota and fires burning in the Northern Plains and the western United States are bringing smoke over the Great Lakes into the Northeastern United States. <\/p>\n

Wildfire Smoke Coming to the Carolinas<\/p>\n

Potential Near-Surface Smoke Concentrations for Friday<\/p>\n

\t\t\"potential<\/p>\n

Lower concentrations of wildfire smoke from fires burning in the Northern Plains and Canada are helping bring a Code Yellow or moderate air quality risk for North Carolina. Smoke concentrations are heavier in the Northeast and are mostly lifted aloft in Virginia and the Carolinas. This level of concern means health impacts are possible for unusually sensitive individuals for the next couple of days. Wind direction, speed and the location of a surface high-pressure pattern will help the Canadian wildfire smoke linger over Virginia and the Carolinas through the weekend. While the highest concentrations may remain elevated in the atmosphere on Thursday, more smoke is expected to mix down toward the surface around the Piedmont Triad on Friday.<\/p>\n

Current smoke concentrations near the surface \t<\/p>\n

\t\t\"smoke<\/p>\n

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) as of July 15, firefighters report that more than 48 large uncontained fires are burning, with suppression efforts underway, and four new large wildland fires have been reported in the United States. So far this season, 686,370 acres have burned.<\/p>\n

The states with the greatest number of large wildland fires this week include Alaska, Colorado, California and Minnesota. North Carolina has reported two wildfires just this week. Firefighters are also monitoring the risk of lightning-sparked wildfires as monsoonal flow over parts of the desert Southwest brings wet and dry thunderstorms this time of the year.<\/p>\n

You can explore current wildfires by using the AirNow.gov Fire and Smoke Map<\/a>, where you will find smoke outlooks and forecasts for smoke plumes.<\/p>\n

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM): CODE YELLOWCurrent air quality in North Carolina and Virginia<\/p>\n

\t\t\"air<\/p>\n

The Forsyth County Environmental Assistance and Protection forecast for air quality includes fine particles from wildfire smoke pollution. The local forecast shows higher concentrations between 52 and 100 on the Air Quality Index (AQI); these levels could impact the health of unusually sensitive groups. However, hourly readings at individual air monitoring sites may reach Code Orange. Greensboro reached this level on Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. Current forecast models we are monitoring in the WXII 12 First Warning Weather Center depict near-surface smoke concentrations with heavier particle pollution arriving on Friday. <\/p>\n

Greensboro Air Quality Now
\nWinston-Salem Air Quality Now<\/p>\n

The numerical value represents the concentration of 1 microgram of particulate matter within a cubic meter of air. If the AQI reaches between 101 and 150, a Code Orange for PM 2.5, fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, the air quality poses a greater health risk to more residents in North Carolina because the particles can be inhaled and then lodged deep within our lungs, respiratory tracts, and even our bloodstreams. To find out more about particle pollution levels and your forecast, you can enter your city or ZIP code on AirNow.gov<\/a> or check the Forsyth Environmental Assistance and Protection Agency here.<\/a><\/p>\n

GROUND-LEVEL OZONE<\/p>\n

In addition to PM 2.5 increases, ground-level ozone will rise into the moderate range with hotter temperatures and mostly sunny skies forecast through the start of the weekend.
United States Environmental Protection Agency tips include ways to reduce surface pollution: limit driving, avoid allowing vehicles to idle, refuel vehicles during the early morning or after sunset, reduce electricity usage, and reduce the use of gas-powered lawn equipment during the air quality concerns. Ozone levels may remain at Code Yellow; the yellow level is typical in North Carolina for the summer months. Ozone forms near the surface when sunshine, hot temperatures in the 80s or higher, and pollution from vehicles and industry cause a chemical reaction.<\/p>\n

HEALTH CONCERNS<\/p>\n

Pollution can create long-term health <\/a>problems. People with asthma, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or other underlying health conditions are encouraged to reduce prolonged as well as heavy outdoor exertion in North Carolina during Code Orange Air Quality Days, and they may be unusually sensitive to moderate air quality during Code Yellow Days. Other residents who tend to be more sensitive to elevated pollutant levels also include older adults, young children, teenagers, outdoor enthusiasts, and outdoor workers. To prevent breathing difficulties, individuals sensitive to fine particles may consider adjusting their daily routine by reducing time outdoors and using air purifiers inside their homes.<\/p>\n

AIR QUALITY FORECAST<\/p>\n

Periods of higher air pollution are possible this weekend through early next week. Changes in the weather pattern and fluctuations in smoke concentrations at times may help bring periods of healthier air quality once rain or fronts arrive early next week. Sunshine and warmer highs in the 90s are forecast to increase ozone production during the typical hours of 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. daily, with at least Code Yellow levels likely.<\/p>\n

Weather stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is alerting travelers and residents in the Northeast states that air quality alerts…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131401,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7015,22642,17,43374,12727,43544,43528,43534,43535,43547,2215,43536,56,43529,43530,43531,43537,4299,43532,43538,43539,43540,43541,13049,43545,28936,43546,43542,5765,43543,18172,4948,43548,12649,43533],"class_list":["post-131400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","tag-air-quality","tag-burlington","tag-canada","tag-canadian-wildfire-smoke","tag-canadian-wildfires","tag-carolinas","tag-code-orange","tag-code-yellow","tag-comfortable","tag-fine-particle","tag-fire","tag-flipboard","tag-forecast","tag-google-discover","tag-google-news-search","tag-greensboro","tag-health-concerns-for-unusually-sensitive-groups","tag-level","tag-michelle-kennedy","tag-moderate-air-quality","tag-ncwx","tag-news-google","tag-newsbreakapp-com","tag-north-carolina","tag-particulate-matter","tag-pm","tag-smoke-concentration","tag-sunshine","tag-time","tag-trouble-breathing","tag-vehicle","tag-virginia","tag-western-united-states","tag-wildfire-smoke","tag-wxii12-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131400"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131400\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}