Air Quality Advisory Issued For Western Piedmont
RALEIGH, N.C. -- State officials have issued an air pollution advisory for the western Piedmont of North Carolina because of the ongoing wildfire in Burke County.
The N.C. Division of Air Quality issued the advisory for Burke, Caldwell and McDowell counties, where residents could experience unhealthy air quality, depending on wind directions.
The 1,800-acre wildfire is centered in the Linville Gorge Wilderness near Table Rock Mountain, and satellite photos show a large plume of smoke drifting downwind. Smoke could reach as far as Marion and Hickory, and officials say heavy smoke from the fire could contain high levels of particle pollution.
Residents could experience Code Orange conditions Friday in the three counties. Parts of Wilkes, Surry, and Alexander counties may also see some heavier smoke, depending on the fire's growth and intensity.
A fire burning on Table Rock on the east side of Linville Gorge had more than tripled in size Thursday. This photo was taken from the Rock Jock trail Wednesday night. There were also spot fires in the northern part of the gorge. / Lynn Willis;photographer / Lynn Willis/Special to Asheville Citizen-Times.
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