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The Daily Tar Heel

Smoke from far off forest fires makes Chapel Hill streets hazy

A smoky haze greeted Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents as they left for work this morning, but fires on Franklin Street were not to blame.

Chapel Hill Deputy Fire Chief Robert Bosworth said in a recorded message that while there is nothing the town can do to mitigate the smoke, he suggests people with asthma, emphysema or other respiratory problems stay inside until conditions clear.

UNC Associate Professor Chip Konrad, who works in the geography department, said he thinks the smoke plaguing the towns is from a fire in Pender County and another fire near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville.

Conrad said he expects conditions to get better as the day goes on, and the smoke should clear out before tomorrow morning when the winds change direction — if not earlier.

“It just started this morning, and it was really bad around noon,” he said. “But I’m looking out my window right now, and it seems to be clearing up.”

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