As smoke lingers in Staunton, Virginia DEQ issues code red air quality day
STAUNTON — Although stepping outside Thursday morning seemed a little less smoky than most of Wednesday in the Shenandoah Valley, the National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert until midnight Thursday.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a code red air quality action day for fine particulates for Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren counties.
A code red alert indicates a severe level of air pollution. The alert is declared when the value index is between 151 to 200, meaning the air is unhealthy to breathe. Per Elizabeth Szabo's IQAir monitor in Sears Hill, air quality is 122 as of 10:15 a.m. which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. That is lower than the 154 that Szabo was showing earlier in the day Thursday.
The smoke is coming from several wildfires in surrounding counties. Per the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, portions of Amherst, Bedford, Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, Warren and Frederick counties may experience smoke from a wildfire in northern Bedford County early Thursday.
The VDEQ said that the plume may affect portions of Bedford, Rockbridge, Bath, Rockingham, and Highland counties towards Thursday evening. Other areas in the Commonwealth may be affected by additional wildfires in Virginia or surrounding states.
"Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities until conditions improve," the VDEQ said. "People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities until conditions improve. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick-relief medicine handy."
The Matts Creek wildfire in Bedford County is a big source of the high levels of particulates, said the VDEQ. The smoke from the fire is trapped in the area by atmospheric conditions.
The Matts Creek Fire is five miles southeast of Glasgow and four miles northwest of Big Island, per the national forest service The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.
The entire fire, which covers 2,750 acres, is on National Forest lands. It is currently 2% contained, per the forest service. There are approximately 120 firefighters and support staff, seven fire crews, four type-6 engines, and three type-1 helicopters fighting the fire.
The Blue Ridge Parkway announced a full closure from milepost 66.3, near US Highway 501, to milepost 85.9, at VA Route 43, on the Blue Ridge Parkway starting Wednesday until further notice. Park visitors should plan for a detour from the north or south using these adjacent routes and Interstate 81.
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: As smoke lingers in Staunton, Virginia DEQ issues code red air quality day
