Author: Jonathan Navarro
This past March was exceptionally dry across all of North Carolina, with the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council classifying 99 of the state’s 100 counties as experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions mid-month. A week later, the N.C. Forest Service issued a burn ban for the entire state.
For good reason: Conditions were ripe for small fires to spark big blazes that could threaten life and property. Within a few days in March, western North Carolina and South Carolina were hard-hit with multiple wildfires, including the large Table Rock fire on the border of the two states. Areas inundated with vegetative debris from Hurricane Helene, that had since dried out, ignited, producing tremendous plumes of smoke that stretched miles and miles.
Meteorologists with DEQ’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) quickly responded by forecasting Air Quality Action Days in the region, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting Code Red and even Code Purple in some counties. These forecasts helped residents understand the risk and what action they should take to keep themselves safe.
As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity across the country, North Carolina is feeling the effects — not just in our forests, but in the air we breathe. While we may not have the massive fires of the western U.S., smoke from distant wildfires can travel hundreds of miles, impacting our air quality here at home. This year already we have seen several large fires affecting communities and our neighbors across the state. Even today, May 5, 2025, the first day of National Air Quality Awareness Week, DAQ is actively sharing a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for PM2.5 for Brunswick County because of an active fire situation. (You can quickly check deq.nc.gov/aqi for current air quality information).
In this blog post, we explore how wildfires start, how they affect our health, and how DAQ keeps residents informed and safe.
What is a wildfire?
A wildfire is an unplanned or uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation. These fires thrive during dry, breezy weather conditions, when vegetation is parched from limited rainfall or prolonged drought. When fuels like dry grass, shrubs, and forest litter are plentiful, wildfires can quickly escalate, challenging even the most experienced firefighting crews.
In the western U.S., wildfires have become more severe and frequent due to extended droughts and changing climate patterns. These fires can destroy property, alter ecosystems, and generate unhealthy air quality conditions, not just locally but far downwind. Smoke from large fires can travel for hundreds or even thousands of miles, impacting communities far from the fire itself.
One key concern with wildfires is their emissions. They release significantly more fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than controlled, prescribed burns. When wildfires burn buildings and artificial materials, they may also release toxic chemicals that wouldn’t be present in a managed burn. This adds to the urgency of prevention and preparedness.
How do wildfires start and affect neighborhoods?
Wildfires can start in many ways — some natural, others human-caused. Lightning, downed power lines, unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and even sparks from vehicles or machinery can ignite dry brush or grass. During times of drought or high fire danger, a single spark can quickly escalate into a destructive blaze.
The threat is especially real in areas known as the wildland-urban interface (WUI) — where homes and communities meet forests and undeveloped land. North Carolina has more WUI acreage than any other state, and with continued population growth, that number is rising. Fires that begin in these areas don’t just burn wildlands — they also threaten homes, roads, and infrastructure.
To address this, the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), local fire departments and community groups work year-round to educate the public, plan fire mitigation strategies, and reduce fire risks. DAQ partners with NCFS and others to ensure the public is informed about wildfire threats and smoke impacts.
Is wildfire smoke bad for your health?
Yes — wildfire smoke can be hazardous to your health, especially if you can see a thick haze or smell smoke in the air. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is 30 times smaller than a human hair. These tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to a range of health issues such as:
- Coughing or throat irritation
- Asthma attacks or worsening lung disease
- Elevated heart rates or chest pain
- Eye irritation and fatigue
Sensitive groups such as children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung conditions, and those with heart disease are most at risk during smoke events. Even healthy individuals may feel symptoms after prolonged exposure.
When smoke is visible or the smell is strong, it's best to limit outdoor activity, especially exercise. Keeping windows closed, running air purifiers, and following air quality forecasts are key steps to protecting yourself. To stay informed, DAQ provides: Daily forecasts for PM2.5 as well as information about specific fires within our air quality forecast discussions which you can find at the Air Quality Portal.
Great tools exist to find and locate possible smoke impacts in your area. DAQ's Ambient Information Reporter (AIR) tool has multiple layers related to smoke, fire, PM2.5 and air quality. You can also check the national Fire & Smoke Map - AirNow.gov, and zoom into your area to see fire and smoke data available.
When there is a wildfire, how does DAQ communicate information to the public?
When wildfire smoke threatens air quality, timely and accurate information is essential. DAQ uses a wide variety of tools and communication channels to keep the public informed:
- Air Quality Forecast Discussions: These provide in-depth insights into current conditions, fire locations, smoke movements, and expected changes. Here's an example from March 27, 2025.
- Social Media Updates: DAQ posts real-time updates on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to keep communities informed as situations develop.
- Press Releases and Public Alerts: When smoke levels are high, DAQ works with media outlets and local emergency managers to distribute information.
- Air Quality Action Days: DAQ issues an Air Quality Action Day for a county when the Air Quality Index is forecast to be Code Orange or higher. We coordinate with the National Weather Service and our EPA partners through AirNow, so these notices appear in multiple places, including many phone weather apps, Google maps layers, and other weather apps.
To create these messages and to learn about smoke in the air and the related fires, DAQ compiles information from satellite imagery, local webcams, smoke model guidance and on-the-ground contacts and first responders. We also work closely with our sister agency partners to get updates on fires as they occur. Overall, this multi-faceted and layered approach helps ensure that residents have access to timely, location-specific information.
Effective communication during wildfire events requires coordination across many agencies. DAQ partners with the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), fire marshals, news agencies and journalists, the National Weather Service (NWS), and local emergency managers for larger events. This collaboration allows for faster, clearer, and more consistent messages about smoke conditions and air quality risks.
What actions can I take to protect my health?
Here are some simple steps you can take during wildfire smoke events:
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor
- Use air purifiers or HVAC systems with clean filters
- Avoid strenuous activity outdoors
- Use N95 masks if you must be outside in heavy smoke
- Follow local air quality alerts and public health guidance
More information is available on our website:
How can I learn more about air quality and what’s in the air each day?
Stay informed, stay safe, and remember: Clean air is everyone’s responsibility.
If you're seeing smoke in the air or in your neighborhood, check the air quality forecast, take precautions, and share information with your community. Together, we can reduce the risks and protect our health. If you're interested in staying on top of air quality conditions in North Carolina, check out these helpful resources:
- DAQ Daily Forecasts: Air Quality Forecasts
- NC Air Awareness Program: Learn how to reduce air pollution and protect your health. NC Air Awareness
- Real-Time Smoke and Fire Maps: AIR tool or the Fire & Smoke Map
It’s Air Quality Awareness Week!
May 5-9 marks Air Quality Awareness Week 2025. DAQ and our partners this week will be highlighting the many ways our air quality has improved in recent decades, while helping residents understand how they can
This blog post will be one in a series talking about air quality this week. Be sure to check back and read the full series!