The air quality index for Chattanooga is in the unhealthy zone due to a high concentration of fine particles, according to the Chattanooga Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.
When an unhealthy rating is issued, the bureau cautions people with heart or lung issues, older adults, children and teens to reduce outdoor exposure.
The unhealthy air has brought a visible haze to the area. Tyler Cantrell, air monitoring manager at the bureau, said the haze is coming from regional prescribed burns.
“There’s really fires going on all over the place, including Tennessee. I know they’re doing a burn in the Smokies,” Cantrell said. “It’s really hard to kind of pinpoint that it’s this specific fire that’s causing it.”