People who live near two smoldering landfill fires are being told to take precautions to avoid breathing the smoke.
Both fires in Carteret County have been contained, but state air quality officials say smoke from the fires could contain harmful levels of pollutants to those sensitive to air pollution. Those people include children, older adults, those with heart or respiratory problems and those who work or exercise outdoors.
The fires are at landfills off Miller Farm Road in Morehead City and on Herring-Smith Road in Newport. The state says both landfills were used to dispose of debris from hurricanes and land clearing activities.
Firefighters are trying now to smother the fires.
The fire on Miller Farm Road began three weeks ago, while the other fire began on Monday night. Officials believe both fires started by internal combustion within the landfill.
