Help Us Avoid a Smoky 4th of July

banner of CLT skyline abstract, with fireworks in the sky and a warning message.

Fourth of July is right around the corner! This time of year, we typically see higher than usual fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels due to the smoke from fireworks. As the region has experienced elevated levels of PM 2.5 due to wildfires in Canada, we need to ensure that we do not add more smoke to our air.

There are still ways to participate in the festivities AND care for our air!

Rather than having your own backyard fireworks, attend a community-wide show. Similar to how taking the bus is better for air quality than driving in a car alone because a bus can carry far more people, community-wide firework shows provide entertainment for hundreds of people. Don’t want to attend a community show? No problem! Check out these fun alternatives to fireworks to try at your backyard celebration.