Why D.C. smelled like smoke Monday

A burning smell across the D.C. region Monday was linked to a large wildfire in Eastern North Carolina.

Driving the news: Washingtonians started noticing haze and a smokey smell outside, leading fire departments region-wide to assure the public that no large fires were occurring in the area.

• Fire department and National Weather Service officials said it may be due to wind patterns bringing smoke from hundreds of miles away.
• The wildfire covered 5,200 acres and was 34% contained as of Sunday, local media reported.

Two elementary school students in Alexandria were not feeling well due to the smoke, the Washington Post reported.

💨 Flashback: In 2021, wildfire smoke from California reached the East Coast.