Last Updated on July 18, 2026 10:11 am
Updated Saturday, July 18, 2026. Original report published Wednesday, July 15.
What began earlier this week as an anticipated period of hazy skies has escalated into a significant air quality event across North Carolina and much of the eastern United States. Canadian wildfire smoke has now reached the Carolinas, and air quality alerts have been issued in 19 states — including North Carolina.
As of Saturday, July 18, hazy conditions are visible across the High Country. The smoke is arriving from more than 830 active wildfires burning across Canada, including major fire complexes in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Minnesota. The fires have burned more than 2.5 million acres since July 1, according to Canada's Natural Resources Department.
Air quality has reached “hazardous” levels — the most extreme category — in parts of Michigan. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana are experiencing “very unhealthy” conditions. The 19 states currently under air quality alerts include North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
For the High Country, upper-level winds are carrying smoke from the northwest to the southeast, filtering sunlight and reducing visibility. The smoke may mix closer to the ground at times depending on weather patterns, temporarily worsening local air quality conditions.
Residents with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions should limit prolonged outdoor activity, keep windows closed, and run air conditioning with clean filters. Young children, older adults, and anyone who works outdoors should also take precautions. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 — particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
Monitor real-time air quality for Watauga County and the surrounding region at fire.airnow.gov.
📷 Kenneth Reece/WataugaOnline.com · Photo taken July 18 from the new Valle Crucis School parking lot
