Map Shows Children Advised to Limit Time Outside Tomorrow in 9 Cities
March 25, 2025
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Environmental officials are warning people in several cities across the U.S. to be wary of how much time they let their children spend outdoors on Tuesday amid unhealthy air quality levels.
Newsweek reached out to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) by email for comment.
Why It Matters
Numerous events can worsen air quality, including high temperatures and wildfire smoke.
For Tuesday’s forecast, wildfire smoke was worsening the air quality in parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. Warmer-than-average temperatures are expected in Texas and California, which could be affecting those air quality levels.
What to Know
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach unhealthy levels in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and California on Tuesday, according to AirNow, a coalition of the U.S. government and tribal agencies that monitors air quality.
AirNow urges children to limit time outdoors once AQI levels hit 101. An AQI of 101 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. An AQI of 151 to 200 means that air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
According to AirNow’s Tuesday forecast, the worst air quality in the U.S. is expected to be in South Carolina. Unhealthy air quality is forecast in multiple South Carolina cities amid wildfires that continue to rage across the northwest part of the state.
Wildfire smoke hangs over downtown Los Angeles amid poor air quality in the region on January 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Wildfire smoke hangs over downtown Los Angeles amid poor air quality in the region on January 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty
South Carolina cities at risk of unhealthy air quality are Greenville, Anderson, Augusta, and Spartanburg.
AQI that is unhealthy for sensitive groups is expected in North Carolina, Texas, and California.
In North Carolina, the region south of Asheville will be impacted. Houston, Texas, is expecting AQI that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, as are several cities in California, including Riverside, Ontario, and Santa Clarita.
On Monday, the South Carolina DES issued an air quality alert for parts of South Carolina impacted by wildfire smoke. The alert will remain in place until noon local time on Tuesday.
In addition to children, elderly people and individuals with respiratory issues also should limit time outdoors.
What People Are Saying
South Carolina DES in an air quality alert: “Wind is expected to turn out of the northwest this evening, which will push smoke from the wildfires in northern Pickens and northern Greenville counties southward into parts of the Upstate. The smoke will be most noticeable in locations along and north of a line from Pumpkintown to Travelers Rest and Landrum.”
The alert added: “A code orange Air Quality Alert means that the fine particulate concentrations within the specified areas will likely reach unhealthy standards for individuals sensitive to particulate pollution. In this case, areas along and north of SC Highway 11 will be affected most.”
AirNow in an AQI guide: “Sensitive groups for particle pollution include people with heart or lung disease (including heart failure and coronary artery disease, or asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), older adults (who may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease), and children.”
What Happens Next
Cooler temperatures will arrive in the Desert Southwest by this weekend, and firefighters expect to continue containing the wildfires burning in North and South Carolina.
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