News Summary
Columbia, SC, has issued an air quality alert effective until Monday evening, primarily affecting Northern and Southern Lancaster areas. The alert, prompted by high ozone levels and smoke from Canadian wildfires, poses health risks to sensitive groups. The SCDES declared a Code Orange Ozone Action Day for affected regions, recommending limited outdoor activities for at-risk individuals. Contributing factors include low winds and heat, with ongoing wildfires in Canada exacerbating the situation. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
Columbia, South Carolina – Air Quality Alert Issued Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Columbia announced an air quality alert on Sunday at 3:53 p.m., which is effective until Monday at 8 p.m. The alert primarily affects Northern Lancaster and Southern Lancaster areas, in response to higher than expected ozone levels and smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada.
On Monday, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) declared a Code Orange Ozone Action Day for the Catawba and Upstate regions. This classification indicates that air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as individuals with asthma, respiratory or cardiac conditions, older adults, young children, teenagers, and outdoor workers.
Conditions Contributing to Air Quality Alert
Several environmental factors are contributing to elevated ozone levels. These include:
- A lack of morning cloud cover, which increases sunlight exposure
- Excess moisture in the atmosphere
- Low wind speeds that limit the dispersion of pollutants
- A stable atmospheric condition that traps pollutants close to the ground
These conditions, compounded by smoke from Canadian wildfires burning across provinces such as Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, are affecting air quality in the Southeast U.S. As of June 1, 2025, nearly four million acres have been burned in Canada due to these wildfires. The prevailing winds are bringing moderate levels of particulate matter pollution to the Carolinas.
Health Advisories and Recommendations
Due to the air quality alert, sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, particularly from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. The air quality index (AQI) readings indicate a Code Yellow level for central North Carolina, with reports of low 60s readings of fine particles classified in the low end of the moderate category. In contrast, some areas further east in central NC have reported AQI scores reaching the 70s.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended actions to减少 pollution, including minimizing driving and using electricity efficiently during this alert period. The increasing ground-level ozone due to warmer temperatures in the 80s and enhanced sunshine is expected to further aggravate conditions.
Impacts and Broader Context
This air quality situation is part of a larger issue, as air quality impacts from the wildfires extend beyond the Southeast, affecting the Midwest and plains. Some areas have reported AQI levels classified as unhealthy to hazardous. In addition to personal health concerns, observers have noted that smoke particles could lead to “dirty rain,” where storm systems may incorporate smoke into raindrops.
A persistent haze is anticipated to linger over central North Carolina, although visibility is not expected to be significantly impaired. As efforts to combat the wildfires continue, U.S. firefighters have begun arriving to assist Canadian forces, a collaboration welcomed by Canadian authorities as they work to manage rapidly spreading fire conditions that have already prompted evacuations.
As the situation develops, residents are urged to stay informed regarding air quality announcements and take necessary precautions to safeguard their health.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Progress in Containing Wildfire Near Myrtle Beach
Warm and Friendly Weather Awaits Central South Carolina
19-Year-Old Arrested for Causing Massive Jones Road Wildfire
Carolina Wildfires Prompt State of Emergency and Evacuations
Additional Resources
- WXII 12: Canadian Fires Smoke Impacting North Carolina Air Quality
- Wikipedia: Air Quality
- WACH: Air Quality Concerns from Canadian Smoke
- Google Search: Canada Wildfires April 2023
- CBS17: Canadian Wildfire Smoke to Impact Central NC Weather
- Google Scholar: Air Quality Wildfires
- Spectrum Local News: Wildfire Smoke Creates Hazy Skies in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Pollution
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
