The National Weather Service in Columbia SC. issues Code Orange Air Quality Alert in the CSRA Wednesday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – An air quality alert is in effect for many areas of the CSRA. But what exactly does this mean?

The National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina, issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert because the Army Corps of Engineers controlled burns across our area, affecting people in different ways.  

“So, I myself have asthma and allergies. So, I feel like I can’t breathe as well, and I feel like a little more stiffly,” said Christina Giacone, Augusta resident. “So, just trying to take care of myself a little bit better, eat a little bit healthier during these times, and just work out more.”

Richmond, Columbia, Aiken, Barnwell, Edgefield, and McCormick counties are affected by this alert because of the fine particulates from the burns.

“Even my voice is raspy right now, that there’s a lot of material. There’s particulate matter that’s in the air right now that gets into your lungs and into your bloodstream and really could cause pretty significant health impacts,” Tonya Bonitatibus, Savannah River Keeper.

Bonitatibus also suspects that the decrease in the number of trees producing oxygen because of Hurricane Helene could also be a reason for the poor air quality.

“We do have a combination of a lot of controlled burns and then your constant level of pollution that Augusta puts out. So, you couple that with kind of the winds not moving today, and everything kind of sits,” said Bonitatibus.

For those with health issues like asthma, allergies, respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly that could be affected by the air quality – it is being suggested that you limit being outdoors, keep all windows and doors closed in your house, and run you’re a//c with clean filters.

“If you are somebody that suffers from breathing elements already, wear a mask If possible, and if you are not feeling good and you are kind of slow today, keep in mind that probably is because you’re not up taking as much oxygen as you need to,” said Bonitatibus.

The air quality alert will be effective the rest of the day or until conditions improve. According to the WJBF weather team, breezy winds tomorrow will help the smoke disperse.