NC Air Quality Forecast

05/29/2026

An interesting air quality event happened on Friday, May 15. We dug deeper into it in our latest blog post:

https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/2026/05/29/rapid-reaction-the-stratosphere-makes-a-surprise-visit/

04/24/2026

ALERT (4/24/26 – 10:43 AM): A Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for OZONE has been issued for Rowan County effective now through 8PM Friday.

Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Days for OZONE remain in effect through 8PM Friday for Mecklenburg & Cabarrus counties.

Read our discussion here: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

04/23/2026

ALERT (4/23/26 – 3:49 PM): A Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for OZONE has been issued for Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties effective 10AM to 8PM Friday.

Discussion & KML files: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

04/23/2026

ALERT (4/23/26 – 10:55 AM): A Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for OZONE has been issued effective now until 8PM for several counties across the Southern Piedmont and Sandhills region.

For a detailed discussion & KML files: https://t.co/9Jql1x45uv

04/17/2026

ALERT (4/17/26 – 2:45PM):

A Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for OZONE has been issued effective now until 8PM for Mecklenburg and Union Counties

For discussion & KML files: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

04/14/2026

FYI: Brunswick County to Wilmington area PM2.5 levels spiked into the Code Orange range this morning due to a long range smoke plume from a fire burning in South Carolina. The smoke should clear out later this morning as winds pick up and help with dispersion.

04/01/2026

Update on the Jumping Branch Fire in McDowell County.

Smoke from the fire can impact air quality for areas nearby and downwind. You can check out our forecast on the Air Quality Portal https://deq.nc.gov/aqi and learn more about smoke and its impacts on health https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/outreach-education-engagement/smoke-wildfires-prescribed-burns

Jumping Branch Fire Update for April 1, 2026

Jumping Branch Fire
Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest
Location: 8 miles northwest of Marion, North Carolina
Date Reported: 3/29/2026 Cause: Improperly discarded smoking material
Size: 420 acres Total Personnel: 173 Containment: 50%

Tuesday’s successful strategic firing operations increased containment on the Jumping Branch fire to 50 percent. These actions reduce unburned forest fuels from the area between the main fire and the control lines. Firefighters held and maintained the control lines overnight.

Today (Wednesday), firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots near the fire’s edge and secure the perimeter. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is using infrared imagery to aid firefighters in identifying areas of heat near the perimeter. This is an active fire with structures at risk, so crews and engines remain actively engaged. Aircraft will continue to support ground crews by monitoring their progress from above and with water and/or suppressant drops.

Rain is forecasted in the general area, but it is not likely to be enough to significantly reduce the fire risk. As downed branches and other heavy forest fuels continue to consume within the interior of the fire area, smoke will remain visible from the communities of Buck Creek, Marion, and surrounding areas.

The Jumping Branch fire is burning in an area heavily affected by Hurricane Helene, where an extensive number of downed trees are contributing to increased wildfire intensity and risk.

The cause of the wildfire has been determined to be improperly discarded smoking material that occurred on private property Sunday, March 29. Read the full news release from the NC Forest Service: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/31/marion-woman-charged-causing-wildfire-currently-burning-mcdowell-county.

Unified Command of the fire is established between the U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service (state agency), McDowell County Emergency Management, and P.G. Fire & Rescue. Several Volunteer Fire Departments from McDowell and surrounding counties are also engaged in the firefighting efforts.

Closures: Drivers should avoid NC-80 in the Buck Creek area. Firefighters are working along roadways and smoke is impacting visibility. Check current road conditions at https://drivenc.gov/.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been implemented over the Jumping Branch Fire area. For the safety of firefighters and aviation resources, no drones or aircraft are permitted in the area. Pilots in the area should check the NOTAMs and follow all directions for both public and firefighter safety. If you fly, we can’t!

Air Quality
Smoke may affect nearby communities and roadways, especially in the evening and morning commutes. Use caution if driving in the area. For air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.

Weather
There is a chance of thunderstorms today and they could be accompanied by gusty, outflow winds. High temperatures will be in the low 80s. Relative humidity levels will be around 50% and the winds will be light. Dry vegetation conditions could still contribute to strong fire behavior.

For wildfire updates follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc

K-Max Helicopter carrying a large bucket of water to the Jumping Branch Fire - photo by Matt Switzer

03/05/2026

For your awareness - prescribed fire season is in full swing. If you see or smell smoke in these areas, it may be from one of these planned fires.

Several prescribed fire operations are planned on the Pisgah and Nantahala Ranger Districts to reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildlife habitat and forest health starting this week and lasting for approximately 2 months.

On the Pisgah Ranger District, the prescribed fires will take place in several locations across Transylvania, Henderson and Haywood counties, including Funnel Top (1,100 acres), Otter Hole (2,100 acres), Brushy Ridge (1,800 acres), Sam K**b (200 acres) and Pink Beds (1,600 acres).

Firefighters will also begin prescribed fire operations on the Nantahala National Forest in Jackson and Macon counties, including Big Green (500 acres), Moses Creek (158 acres), Coward Bald (684 acres), Split Whiteoak (1025 acres) and Deweese (894 acres). A portion of the Appalachian Trail will be temporarily closed in the Deweese Unit for public safety during active firing operations. Once conditions permit safe travel, the trail will promptly reopen.

The actual acreage, locations and dates of the burns will depend on weather and forest conditions, with operations beginning as early as tomorrow. Fire managers will carefully assess those conditions, and notifications on specific burn times and locations will be posted to the National Forests in North Carolina website and here on Facebook.

Please pay attention to any posted signs and watch carefully for wildland firefighters working in the forest during this time. There could be temporary road and trail closures during burning operations and following days while the area is monitored. These closures are for the safety of the public and firefighters. Helicopters may also be used to monitor and assist burn operations.

03/05/2026

Smoke from both wildfires + prescribed/agricultural burning across the SE US has contributed to elevated PM2.5 levels across the region today.
See the latest data and our forecast discussion at these links:
https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/air/
https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/

02/10/2026

Widespread moderate PM2.5 levels have been observed across the state today, due to smoke from increased fire activity across the region and locally. A cold front approaching from the northwest will help gradually clear the air throughout the day tomorrow.