Smoke dissipates after blanketing Charlotte area

CHARLOTTE — There was thick haze all around Charlotte on Thursday thanks to wind blowing smoke into the area. By the evening, the smoke dissipated.

Severe Weather Center 9′s John Ahrens said there’s widespread burning activity happening across western North Carolina on Thursday, which is contributing to the smoky skies.

At the same time, high wind gusts are blowing that smoke into the greater Charlotte area.

One of the controlled burns was spotted in northwest Charlotte, just south of Lake Norman. The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department had announced Thursday morning that a burn would take place at Latta Nature Preserve for several hours.

Chopper 9 SkyZoom flew over the fire and saw smoke drifting to the east.

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Controlled burn in northwest Charlotte sends smoke into the air on Thursday

According to IQAir.com, air quality across Charlotte was listed as moderate with an air quality index of 90 as of 3:30 p.m. The particle concentration in Charlotte was listed at “6.2 times the [World Health Organization] annual air quality guideline.”

IQAir suggests sensitive groups should wear masks when outdoors.

Keep an eye on the forecast at this link.

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