Buncombe County Code Orange Air Quality

Buncombe County -- June 30, 2023: The Buncombe County Government announced Code Orange air quality for the area. Below is the press release from this morning.

Friday, June 30, 2023, is a code ORANGE air quality action day for the ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County.

An ORANGE forecast means it is an Air Quality Action Day for the County. During this code ORANGE, NO OPEN BURNING is allowed at elevations above 4,000 feet.

The current air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity. 

This forecast is due to another round of Canadian wildfire smoke intrusion into North Carolina.

Note: Open Burning is generally PROHIBITED on Air Quality Action Days. Burning trash and other non-vegetative material is ALWAYS PROHIBITED.

General Guidance

If it looks or smells smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn, go for a run, or for kids to play outdoors.

If you see or smell smoke present, you should:

Check Your Current Air Quality at DAQ NC Ambient Information Reporter or EPA AirNow
Subscribe to Air Quality Forecasting at www.enviroflash.info
Learn how to make a DIY air cleaner and about air cleaners and filters in the home.

You can also care for the air by driving less and incorporating carpools, public transit, and telecommuting; conserving electricity, packing or walking to lunch, not idling your car, and refueling or mowing after 6 p.m.

Please visit airquality.climate.ncsu.edu for up-to-date forecasts and in-depth discussions

Call the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency if you have any questions at (828) 250-6777.