"Wildfire Smoke Triggers Code Red Air Quality Alerts Across North America"

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused air quality concerns in North Carolina, with the first Code Red air quality alert since 2012 being issued on Wednesday. However, the alert was downgraded to Code Orange by early afternoon. Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart, making it important for sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and people with lung diseases to take precautions. It is recommended to stay indoors, keep doors and windows shut, and run air conditioning on a recirculation setting.