On Monday, area residents have been filling social media posts with reports of “smelling smoke.” Local fire departments confirm no large fires can be found in the DMV.
MyMCMedia contacted the Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) for answers. Meteorologist Brian Lasorsa attributed the smoky smell to a Sunday wildfire in North Carolina. The fire has been contained but the atmospheric conditions and airflow have combined to bring the smoke to our area. Currently, low clouds create an umbrella that keeps the smoke from dispersing.
AirNow.gov rates the atmosphere this afternoon as moderate and advises “If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.”
UPDATE on the smell of smoke in the DC region. https://t.co/wpDYxz4FKw
— CA Kevin Donahue (@DC_OCA) March 27, 2023
NEW: The smoke in the air around the DC area? It's probably from wildfires in North Carolina. It has reduced air quality to moderate from Richmond to DC because of smoke particle pollution.
Details: https://t.co/4GHXa1vlQC
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 27, 2023
Is there something in the air in Montgomery County? Apparently there is. Our department is getting multiple calls for smoke in the area. It just might be from a very large fire in North Carolina. Fire departments in the DMV getting the same reports. @mcfrsPIO @mcfrs @MCFRSNews https://t.co/MoZZ8QPCEg
— Captain Francisco(Franco) Martinez (@mcfrsPIO19) March 27, 2023
Attention Montgomery County residents, We want to make you aware of multiple reports of smoke in the area that our department has received. It seems that there is a large fire in North Carolina that could be causing this.
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) March 27, 2023
