Air quality alerts are impacting parts of California and North Carolina, with officials from the National Weather Service (NWS) warning residents to “remain indoors” as dangerous pollution levels rise from wildfire smoke and ozone buildup.
Where the Alerts Are in Place — And Until When
In southern California, the alert, which is in place through late Wednesday afternoon, is focused on Los Angeles and Orange County, particularly areas around the Santa Susana Mountains and nearby communities. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued the warning as wildfire smoke drifts across the region.
In North Carolina, multiple counties across the Triad region are under a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day, including Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Davidson, Randolph, Stokes, Rockingham, Caswell, and Davie counties. These alerts primarily impact cities like Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington and will remain in place until midnight Wednesday night, with pollution levels expected to remain elevated through the evening.
Why Air Quality Is So Bad
The reason behind the polluted air is different for the two states—but both causes are serious.
In California, wildfires are the main driver. Blazes burning near Los Angeles, including the fast-moving Sandy Fire, are sending thick smoke into populated areas. Winds and dry conditions are pushing that smoke into the basin, trapping pollution close to the ground…