Michelle posted on June 28, 2011 11:25
From the Pender County Emergency Operations Center:
The North Carolina Forestry Service will be performing a controlled burn, today, of approximately 8,000 acres. This controlled burning will take place near Shaw Highway. This will increase the potential for dense smoke in the areas east of Interstate 40. Please take the necessary precautions, for you and your family, to avoid any respiratory difficulties. Attached are some safety tips regarding wildfire smoke.
PENDER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS SAFETY TIPS REGARDING WILDFIRE SMOKE
The Pender County Health Department offers advice to citizens that may be impacted by wildfire smoke.
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat, irritated eyes and nose, and can worsen conditions such as asthma, other chronic lung conditions, angina or heart disease. Pregnant women, children, elderly people, smokers, and people who work or exercise outdoors are also at higher risk from smoke exposure.
Some signs of unhealthy smoke levels that may indicate the need to move to a safer area include, Greatly reduced visibility or haze, coughing, strong odors, burning or watering eyes. If you continue to smell smoke and experience these symptoms when indoors, consider evacuating to another location, away from the fire and smoke.
How to Protect Your Family from the Health Effects of Smoke:
Pay attention to local weather reports. Weather changes can rapidly increase smoke levels in your area. If it looks smoky outside, stay indoors and run the air conditioner, if you have one. Reduce physical activity to lower the amount of air pollutants inhaled. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. When smoke levels are high, keep indoor air clean by not smoking, vacuuming, or using anything that burns, such as gas stoves or candles! Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.
If you have asthma, other lung or heart disease, follow your doctor’s advice about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
If you have heart or lung disease, are an older adult, or have small children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area.
For more health related information, contact the Preparedness Coordinator at the Health Department at 910-279-3212. To get a list of local shelters, contact Pender County Emergency Management at 910-259-1210. For questions related to air quality visit the NC Division of Air Quality Web site at www.ncair.org
Code Purple to Code Red Status
Due to the current wildfire in Pender County, forecasters have predicted potential Code Purple to Code Red, or very unhealthy to unhealthy air quality, in Pender and surrounding counties.
The Code Purple forecast for Pender and Onslow counties means that people who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid all physical activity outdoors. In other forecast areas, sensitive groups should avoid or reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Sensitive groups include older adults, children, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those with heart conditions and respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Everyone else should avoid or reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.