Air quality alert affecting York and Chester counties until Thursday evening

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At 4:43 p.m. on Thursday, the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC reported an air quality alert in effect until 8:15 p.m. for York and Chester counties.

"The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has issued a Code Orange Ground Level Ozone Action Day for the Catawba region of South Carolina, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Dominant high pressure will ensure minimal cloud cover and light and variable winds. Long-range wildfire smoke will also transport ozone precursors into the area. These factors will allow for sufficient ozone production, compounding with weak dispersion characteristics of an already pollutant-loaded atmosphere," describes the NWS.

This alert is in effect until 8:15 p.m.

Air quality alert: Your safety checklist from the NWS

• Stay inside if possible, particularly if you have respiratory concerns or other health problems, or are a senior or child.
• If you must go out, try to limit the amount of time you are out to strictly essential activities.
• Minimize your use of items that increase pollution, such as cars, gas-powered lawnmowers, and other vehicles.
• Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.
• Stay Informed - Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite weather news station.

Source: The National Weather Service

United Robots South Carolina

This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM.