GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's not something we talk a lot about in winter but, air quality in the Piedmont today will be poor, due to smoke and pollutants in the air from an ongoing fire in Winston-Salem. A fertilizer plant caught fire Monday night and is still burning.
Closer to the fire you air, the worse the air quality will be, but it's still a good idea for anyone with asthma or breathing trouble to be extra cautious today and avoid outdoor activities.
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According to the Forsyth County Environmental Assistance office, the air quality index in the Triad today will likely be in the mid-50s, meaning we move into the yellow or moderate range for air quality. Right now, it's pretty low on the moderate threshold but still a good idea to be cautious of strenuous outdoor activity. If you're closer to Winston-Salem or near the fire, air quality will likely be worse.
According to Chief Trey Mayo with the Winston-Salem Fire Department, and other authorities working on the fire today, the pollutants in the air aren't at life-threatening levels right now but could cause irritation to some folks if you're in the haze or breathing it in.
We'll have a Northeast wind today in the Piedmont, and while strong winds aren't a concern, it's very possible that NE wind will push some haze to our southwest, downwind from the fire.
Places like Lexington, Mocksville, Statesville, and Salisbury may see or smell smoke today from the fire. If you smell it, it's best to get inside and not breathe it in. The air quality will also take more of a hit in these areas too. By tomorrow, the Piedmont will have a SE wind, which, if the fire is still raging, may push smoke the opposite way and off to the north and west, impacting some of our northwest counties and along the NC/VA border.
Stick with WFMY for the latest and continued coverage.
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