Smoke from a huge forest fire – reported to be over 21,000 acres – in the Croatan National Forest is a concern for cruisers along the NC coastline.

From WITN Eastern Carolina’s New and Weather Authority:

Smoke continues to be a problem across parts of Eastern Carolina as a big fire in the Croatan National Forecast causes air quality concerns.
Officials say residents from Morehead City, to Havelock, New Bern, and Washington could experience unhealthy air quality Thursday, depending on wind directions.
The fire is generating heavy smoke that can contain high levels of particle pollution.
A Code Red Alert is issued for portions of Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties.
Officials say in addition, residents could experience Code Orange conditions in those counties as well as Beaufort, Carteret and Hyde counties.
Reports indicate air quality monitors as far west as Raleigh and as far north as Tarboro and Jamesville have shown increased particle pollution due to smoke from the fire, and smoky conditions may be encountered throughout the central and northern Coastal Plain.
Code Red happens when unhealthy conditions exist for everyone outside, while Code Orange means active children and adults and those with respiratory diseases should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.