• By Sarah Coffey
• Posted Friday, June 2, 2023

Code Orange Air Quality Alert Issued for the Triad

A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for Saturday, June 3rd due to anticipated levels of ground-level ozone becoming unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection (EAP Office) declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for the Triad Area, including Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Davidson, Randolph, Rockingham, Caswell, Davie and Stokes counties.

A Code Orange alert means that levels of an air pollutant, in this case ground-level ozone, may rise to levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and those with respiratory problems like asthma should limit outdoor activities, especially in the late afternoon/early evening when ozone concentrations are highest.

Triad residents and businesses can help prevent levels from rising even further by driving less and staying home if possible, avoiding engine idling, refueling vehicles after dusk, and waiting until a non-ozone action day to use gas-powered lawn equipment. It also recommended that residents conserve electricity by raising the thermostat, as well as turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use.

As always, the burning of trash and other non-vegetative material is prohibited, and the burning of leaves, brush, or other vegetation must be postponed until the alert is over.