Air quality worsens

Code Purple issued in east

State air quality officials warned residents in much of Eastern North Carolina to take immediate precautions Friday as winds continued to blow smoke from a giant wildfire at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

The state issued a Code Purple alert, which means that air quality is expected to be very unhealthy, for areas east of Interstate 95 and north of U.S. 70 through today. The Triangle, which is outside the Code Purple area, remained under a Code Red alert until 9 p.m. Friday.

Referring to areas affected by the Code Purple alert, Division of Air Quality director Keith Overcash said Friday, "These are some of the highest levels of particle pollution we have ever recorded. People residing in areas downwind from the fire should take immediate precautions by staying indoors and avoiding physical exertion, particularly if they are among these sensitive groups."

Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, people with respiratory conditions and people who work outdoors. Others, including healthy adults, should avoid even moderate activity outdoors.

The Code Purple area includes Edenton, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Plymouth, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Washington and Wilson.

Tom Mather, a spokesman for the N.C. Division of Air Quality, encouraged people who are sensitive to pollution to stay indoors and run their air conditioners. The filters will remove the bulk of the pollutants from the smoky air.

For households without air conditioning, Mather said open doors and windows will let in much of the unhealthy air from outdoors. Anyone who experiences chest pain, persistent coughing or irritation of the eyes, nose or throat is encouraged to contact a doctor. Mather said those living nearest the fire should decide for themselves whether they can stay amid persistently smoky conditions.

Easterly winds blew another plume of smoke toward the Triangle on Friday afternoon, but a wind shift steered the densest part of the plume north and west.

The fire at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is still smoldering in Eastern North Carolina. Vincent said that without a tropical storm or hurricane in the next few weeks -- and meteorologists say none is expected -- the state will be dealing with this fire for weeks. That means new smoke will blanket the Triangle every time the winds blow out of the east.

Dean McAlister, a spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service, said that the Triangle should be smoke-free by the middle of next week, once winds shift and begin blowing the smoke out to sea. Modest rainfall expected Sunday would also help the smoke dissipate, McAlister said.

The area burned by the fire held steady at 39,979 acres and was 40 percent contained Friday, McAlister said, and 530 people are working on the blaze at a cost of $2,299,000. McAlister added that a controlled burn Friday was expected to help officials "tie off" the fire and should increase containment.