An air quality alert is in effect in Rockbridge County until 9 p.m. Friday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
There was a visible haze over House Mountain Friday morning. By mid-afternoon, the mountains were barely visible.
The National Weather Service has issued a Code Orange air quality action day, which means that people sensitive to air pollutants may need to exercise caution outdoors.
In parts of northern Virginia, particularly in the Reston and Sterling areas, the air quality has been declared “hazardous,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In those conditions, the elderly and people with cardiopulmonary disease are at risk of death and the general population is at risk for lung irritation.
A wildfire burning in the George Washington and Jefferson National Park east of Fairfield is contributing to the smoke in Rockbridge County.
The Taylor Hollow Fire has been burning since July 5. More than 100 firefighters have been brought in from around the country to help contain it. The fire remained at 108 acres and 60% contained on Friday. Firefighters have set up containment lines and have been intentionally burning vegetation this week to keep the fire from spreading.
