(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) From Ballston to Pentagon City to D.C. to Fairfax County, there’s a burning smell that seems to be lingering outside.
Those trudging out on their lunch breaks caught a whiff of the smoky scent, and the appearance of a slight haze, prompting a bunch of calls to Arlington’s 911 dispatch center.
Why does Arlington county smell like burnt rubber today? Cc @ARLnowDOTcom @STATter911 @alanhenney
— Fossil Locator (@FossilLocator) March 27, 2023
“We’re getting multiple calls… so has D.C. and Fairfax,” an Arlington dispatcher said around 12:40 p.m., after dispatching a fire department call to investigate a smell of something burning.
D.C. neighborhood news site PoPville also wrote about the smell just before noon, noting that the District’s dispatchers have also been getting calls about it.
.@dcfireems is receiving calls for the smell of smoke in the District. At this time, there is no fire/significant incident. #DCsBravest are working to determine the source of the odor,
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) March 27, 2023
An Arlington County Fire Department spokesman confirmed to ARLnow that the department is monitoring the situation.
“Arlington County Emergency Communications Center (911) has been getting calls about odor of something burning all day,” said Capt. Justin Tirelli. “So far, the Fire Department has been unable to locate the source of the odor. Both Fairfax County and Washington DC have been reporting the same.”
“Currently, we are not working any significant fire incidents,” Tirelli added. “We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if more information becomes available.”
One theory — later largely confirmed by the Fairfax County fire department and the National Weather Service — is that the smell is related to wind patterns and a large wildfire in North Carolina.
Someone mentioned fires in NC. Wind pattern does appear to support that theory. pic.twitter.com/DHYQx5q34O
— H St Weather Geek (@hstreetweather) March 27, 2023