What Air Quality Index codes mean & how to protect your health in smoky conditions

Dense smoke from larger fires will push into inland Southeast Georgia Friday into Saturday morning, producing unhealthy air in affected areas and prompting a Dense Smoke Advisory through 12 p.m. Friday for portions of Southeast Georgia, including Brantley County, where a 5,000-acre wildfire continues to spread.

Detailed forecast

• Dense Smoke Advisory (through 12 p.m. Friday): inland portions of SE GA. Expect reduced visibility and periods of heavy smoke, especially along I‑95 this afternoon/evening. Monitor airnow.gov for real‑time AQI.
• Air Quality: Smoke likely to push AQI into Unhealthy (Code Red) in places — sensitive groups should take precautions.
• Fire weather: Inland RH under 35% with extreme-to-exceptional drought area-wide — new fires can spread quickly. Avoid any open flames or spark‑producing activities.
• Coastal hazards: Moderate rip current risk at area beaches today — swim near lifeguards and heed flags.
• Thunderstorms: Isolated to widely scattered afternoon/evening storms possible this weekend and again later next week; storm coverage is uncertain.

Dense Smoke Advisory — criteria & tips

• Typical criteria: smoke causing visibly reduced visibility (often 1/4–1/2 mile or less) and/or PM2.5 concentrations expected to push AQI into the Unhealthy range (AQI 151+) for several hours. Confirm local threshold with the NWS office.
• Quick public tips:
  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
  • Run a HEPA air purifier or HVAC on recirculate with a clean filter.
  • If you must go outside, wear an N95/KN95 respirator — cloth masks don’t stop fine smoke particles.
  • Avoid outdoor exercise and strenuous activity.
  • Keep car vents closed and set to recirculate while driving.
  • Follow your medical action plan; contact your doctor if breathing worsens.

Air Quality Index (AQI) — what the codes mean

• Code Green / Yellow: Air generally safe for everyone.
• Code Orange: Unhealthy for sensitive groups (children, seniors, heart/lung disease).
• Code Red / Purple: Unhealthy for everyone.
• Code Maroon: Health warning — emergency conditions.(Real-time AQI: airnow.gov)

Impacts

• Travel: Reduced visibility and heavy smoke along I‑95 may slow traffic and create hazards; expect delays.
• Schools/Youth Sports: Outdoor activities should be moved indoors or canceled where AQI is Orange or worse.
• Health: Asthma, COPD, heart patients, pregnant people, older adults and children face higher risk — watch for coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath.
• Fire risk: Low RH + drought = greater chance of new, fast-spreading fires; local burn bans likely.