Rutherfordton, NC – Residents in western North Carolina are under an Air Quality Alert as elevated levels of fine particulate pollution continue through Saturday night.
According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, a Code Red Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Polk County, while Rutherford County is under a Code Orange alert. Both warnings remain in effect until midnight EDT Saturday. The alerts mean air quality is expected to reach levels that could pose health risks, especially for sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and individuals with heart or lung conditions.
The Code Red designation for Polk County, including cities like Tryon, Saluda, and Columbus, indicates conditions that are unhealthy for the general public. Meanwhile, Rutherford County—home to Forest City, Rutherfordton, and Spindale—faces Code Orange conditions, which are unhealthy for sensitive individuals.
Officials urge residents to limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially during the afternoon and early evening when pollutant concentrations peak. Using indoor air filtration, keeping windows closed, and staying hydrated are recommended.
