More smoke headed our way

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

The state issued a Code Purple alert for areas east of Interstate 95 and north of U.S. 70 for today and Saturday. The Triangle, which is outside the Code Purple area, remains under a Code Red alert until 9 p.m.

Referring to areas affected by the Code Purple alert, Division of Air Quality director Keith Overcash said this afternoon, "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.

This area includes the cities of Edenton, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Plymouth, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Washington and Wilson. On Saturday, Code Purple conditions are likely in areas due north of the fire, including Edenton and Elizabeth City.

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 coming in from smoky air.

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

The National Weather Service has reissued a dense smoke advisory for Nash, Wilson and Edgecombe counties, where meteorologists expect the densest smoke to gather this afternoon.

Meanwhile, easterly winds are expected to blow another plume of smoke toward the Triangle later today.

Brandon Vincent, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that much of the smoke that blanketed the Triangle yesterday has moved west toward Greensboro and Burlington, leaving the Triangle's air relatively smoke-free for much of the day.

Still, Vincent said parts of northeast Wake County were already smelling a second wave of smoke this afternoon.

The densest part of the plume will probably bypass the Triangle because winds are expected to shift toward the southeast later tonight, blowing the thickest smoke north and west. Still, with winds carrying due west for most of the day residents of the Triangle are likely to see a diffuse, smelly cloud of smoke reentering the area within the next 24 hours.

With the fire at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge still smoldering in Eastern North Carolina, Vincent added that without a tropical storm or hurricane in the next few weeks - and meteorologists say none are in the forecast - 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.