Residents with respiratory issues in our community are being encouraged to remain inside, if at all possible, as smoke from the ongoing wildfires in the western part of the state is settling into the Triangle.

Local firefighters joined the effort to fight the blazes late last week and have sent multiple crews up to assist.

The air quality index is listing Orange County and all of the surrounding counties in the areas are considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting smoke will spread east throughout the day before lifting to the north overnight.

Orange County will be under the Code Orange alert through at least two o’clock Saturday afternoon. Local emergency officials say the Code Orange designation kicks a provision in that bans all outdoor burning until the warning is lifted.

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