AnMed warns Upstate SC residents about poor air quality from wildfires across Carolinas
As wildfires burn in Oconee County, South Carolina and Cherokee and Henderson Counties in North Carolina, Anderson-based medical group AnMed warns Upstate SC residents to be aware of smoke spreading in the area.
In a press release sent Wednesday afternoon, the medical group said smoke has been evident in Anderson and Pickens since Monday.
Dr. Kenneth (Chet) Walters, a pulmonary medicine specialist at Anmed, wrote that certain residents should take precautions.
“When wildfires cause local impacts to our air quality as we are seeing now, we recommend older people and those with lung problems to limit their outdoor activities and exposures to avoid complications from these fires,” Walters said in the press release.
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At the time of publication, the National Weather Service has not issued an air quality alert for Anderson County or any of the surrounding counties.
According to the U.S. Air Quality Fire and Smoke Map, current smoke-related air quality in Upstate counties, including Anderson, is moderate. According to the National Weather Service, moderate air quality means that if they don’t smell smoke, residents can go outdoors or open windows. For those who are more sensitive, the National Weather Service recommends keeping outdoor activities limited and going inside if symptoms appear.
AnMed referenced three wildfires causing smoke to spread through the Upstate.
The Collet Ridge wildfire near Andrews, North Carolina, has burned nearly 4,000 acres, according to the U.S. Incident Information System. As of Nov. 7, a wildfire near Mill Mountain in Oconee County, South Carolina had burned 100 acres and the Poplar Drive wildfire near Hendersonville, North Carolina had burned 431 acres.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 120 personnel are involved in fighting the Collet Ridge wildfire and 0% of the fire has been contained. The U.S. Incident Information System estimates that personnel will have the fire under control by Nov. 22.
In a morning update on Nov. 8, the North Carolina Forest Service reported that the Poplar Drive wildfire in Hendersonville is 15% contained and 222 personnel are involved. A home, an outbuilding and a cabin have been lost according to the report, and more homes are threatened by the fire’s footprint as personnel work to control it.
Sarah Swetlik covers climate change and environmental issues in South Carolina's Upstate for The Greenville News. Reach her at sswetlik@gannett.com or on X at @sarahgswetlik.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: AnMed warns Upstate residents about poor air quality from wildfires
