KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Air Quality Index has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert in Knoxville and East Tennessee, according to AirNow.
And due to the alert, a burn ban is in effect for June 29 in Knox County, according to Rural Metro Fire.
The orange category means members of sensitive groups may experience health effects but the general public is less likely to be affected. According to AirNow, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should choose less strenuous activities and shorten the amount of time you are outdoors.
According to an asthma and allergy specialist, people should use caution when going outside when there is an air quality alert.
"Elect to do outside activity with caution," said Dr. Don Ellenburg, Asthma and Allergy specialist. "I wouldn't say go hide. We don't need to be fearful of our air quality."
The EPA said people who are sensitive to particle pollution should consider "reducing prolonged or heavy exertion." You should watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
According to AirNow, smoke from the wildfires in Canada continues to move hundreds of miles into the U.S. This is pushing air quality into unhealthy or worse categories in areas from the mid-Atlantic through the Northeast and parts of the Upper Great Lakes.
You can learn more about how to stay safe and healthy in a moderate air quality environment here.
You can also explore the fire and smoke map for more details.