As fire suppression efforts increase, air quality improves in Winston-Salem

Air quality in Winston-Salem has been improving due to increased fire suppression efforts at the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant. But one environmental expert says we're not quite out of the woods yet. 

Minor Barnette, with the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection, says pollution concentrations have been dropping since Wednesday evening. 

“We have a smaller area of impact, it's more limited. And it's not as intense as it was either," says Barnette. "So things have improved a lot considering where we started with an event of this magnitude, you know – we're getting to where there's light at the end of the tunnel.”

Barnette forecasts that smoke still coming off of hot spots at the site will mainly impact the southeast quadrant of the city tonight and into Saturday morning. 

“If you're anywhere in the downwind direction and you see it or smell it, protect yourself, get out of the smoke," says Barnette. "Don't breathe the smoke, stay inside until the smoke moves out of the area.”

Air quality will continue to be impacted until the fire is completely extinguished.