The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned residents across multiple counties in western North Carolina and parts of South Carolina to limit time outdoors because of worsening air quality linked to smoke from nearby wildfires.

The alerts, which are in effect until midnight, signal hazardous conditions that could pose serious health risks, especially for people with respiratory issues.

Why It Matters

Unhealthy air can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. According to the NWS alert, “Fine Particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.”

Populations most at risk include children, older adults, individuals with preexisting health conditions and pregnant women.

What To Know

Counties in western North Carolina and the mountainous region of South Carolina are under air quality alerts due to increased levels of fine particulate pollution, largely attributed to wildfire smoke.

The most severe warning, indicating “very unhealthy” air quality, has been issued for North Carolina’s Henderson and Transylvania Counties. The cities and towns of Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo and Etowah fall under this advisory.

Officials warn that air conditions in these areas are hazardous for the entire population, not only people with preexisting conditions.

A separate alert signaling that the air quality is “unhealthy” for all individuals is in effect for Buncombe, Swain and Polk Counties. This includes the cities of Asheville, Bryson City and Tryon. Prolonged exposure in these areas may pose health risks even for healthy individuals, while those in sensitive groups, such as children and elderly people, could experience more severe symptoms.

Macon, McDowell and Rutherford Counties have been issued an alert indicating that conditions are “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

While risks to the general population are lower in these zones, vulnerable individuals may be significantly affected.

In South Carolina, the Greenville Mountains region is also under an air quality alert because of smoke from the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge wildfires. Conditions are especially pronounced in the area around Glassy Mountain, where stable atmospheric patterns and light overnight winds would “enhance the noticeability” of smoke.

What People Are Saying

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Integrated Drought Information System said on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday: “Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina are seeing large wildfires fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and dead trees from Hurricane Helene.”

What Happens Next

The air quality alerts were in effect until midnight on Friday, the NWS post said.