Wildfire smoke causes traffic problems
The North Carolina Department of Transportation declared a state of emergency for drivers in the northern and eastern parts of the state Wednesday as smoke from wildfires in the area clouded skies and limited visibility.
Posted — UpdatedThe DOT had placed message boards along those routes, but advised travelers to be prepared for detours and delays.
Map: Progress of the fire
In the map below, the area of the fire is designated in red. Pushpins signal air-quality forecasts.
Code Red or Purple, indicating the highest concentration of particle pollutants, is forecast Thursday for Hyde, Tyrrell, eastern Washington, Dare, extreme eastern Gates, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden and Currituck counties and areas along the Outer Banks from Ocracoke Inlet up to Virginia.
Protect yourself from wildfire smoke
- Reduce time outdoors. This can provide protection, especially in a tightly closed house where the air-conditioner can re-circulate air instead of bringing in outdoor air.
- Reduce time engaged in outdoor physical activity. This can be effective in lowering the dose of inhaled air pollutants.
- Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution that can emit the same pollutants found in wildfire smoke. Indoor sources such as burning cigarettes, gas, propane and wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and activities such as cooking, burning candles and incense and vacuuming can greatly increase the particle levels in a home and should be avoided when wildfire smoke is present.
The state Division of Public Health lists the symptoms of smoke exposure as:
- coughing
- scratchy throat
- shortness of breath
- irritated sinuses
- chest pain
- headaches
- stinging eyes
- runny nose
You can help
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