Charlotte, NC – Residents across portions of the South are being urged to monitor air quality Thursday as a combination of ground-level ozone and smoke from Canadian wildfires contributes to unhealthy conditions in several states.
According to state environmental agencies, air quality alerts are in effect across portions of North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia and southern Indiana, with advisories lasting through Thursday evening in many locations. While impacts vary by state, officials warn that elevated levels of ozone and fine particulate pollution could affect outdoor air quality throughout the day.
In North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte, is under a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day through 8 p.m. Thursday because ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to approach or exceed levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality recommends monitoring local air quality conditions and limiting prolonged outdoor exertion if air quality worsens.
Elsewhere, portions of northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana are included in a regional air quality advisory issued by the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency. Officials cite elevated ozone levels along with smoke from Canadian wildfires as contributing factors. Nearby areas of West Virginia are also under Code Orange alerts due to increased fine particulate pollution associated with the smoke plume.
Health officials advise children, older adults, people with asthma or heart disease, and anyone working outdoors to reduce prolonged or strenuous activity during the advisory period. Residents are encouraged to keep windows closed if smoke is noticeable, use indoor air filtration when available, and check local air quality forecasts before spending extended time outdoors.
Forecasters say conditions should gradually improve as weather patterns shift, though localized air quality may fluctuate throughout the day depending on smoke movement and ozone development.
