N.C. wildfire smell hits Hampton Roads

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Air quality alerts are in effect for parts of North Carolina due to an out of control wildfire burning in the Croatan National Forest near New Bern. 

New Bern is 188 miles from Virginia Beach, and 10 On Your Side viewers reported smelling the smoke on June 20 in Great Bridge, Greenbrier, and Suffolk.

"On the way here on the interstate, Princess Anne and Independence Boulevard," Ronald Smith, a resident of Virginia Beach said.

Chesapeake Regional respiratory therapist Sue Szymanski said people need to be aware of the dangers even if they can't see the fire.

"If you can smell it then you should start to at least be concerned," Szymanski said.

Szymanski said people should pay attention to air quality alerts and symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

"Close your windows, close your doors," Skymanski said. "If you have air conditioning, turn it on and make sure it's in re-circulation mode so you're not brining any outside air in."

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality posts an air quality chart on their website , which explains any risks.

Winds are expected to shift back to the south sending this smoke straight toward Hampton Roads.