RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Hazy conditions with light smoke in the atmosphere could reach central North Carolina on Friday from the wildfires in western North Carolina.
There are some large wildfires in western North Carolina, and the smoke from those fires could make it all the way to central parts of the state.
It will show up as hazy conditions through the sun and a few clouds.
Residents likely won’t smell smoke in the air on Friday, but they will see more of a milky sunshine instead of “Carolina Blue” skies.
At least two of the wildfires just south of Asheville near the state have been burning since March 19.
According to firefighters with the North Carolina Forest Service, as of Thursday night, the Black Cove Complex fire in Polk County had spread beyond 3,228 acres. Only 17% of the fire is contained at this time.
More than 500 firefighters from North Carolina and other states responded to contain the fire, the N.C. Forest Service said.
A new wildfire in Swain County, which is currently estimated to be 912 acres, also continues to burn and will carry smoke as it travels over the course of the day on Friday. These flames are located slightly west of the Black Cove Complex fire.
The National Weather Service previously issued air quality alerts for the region that ran through Thursday night.