Code Orange ending; moderate air quality for Friday

Forecasters say the smoke from those west coast wildfires will subside on Friday here in Eastern Carolina.

Most of the state on Thursday was under a Code Orange air quality alert due to smoky conditions.

State air quality experts now predict Code Yellow, or moderate air quality, on Friday for central and eastern North Carolina. A Code Orange will continue for the western third of the state.

Code Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including individuals with respiratory and/or heart ailments, older adults, and children.

Heavy outdoor exertion should be limited throughout the day.

The smoke will slowly shift more southward Thursday night into Friday.