Air Quality Advisory Issued for Vegas Because of CA Fire

The Clark County Department of Air Quality extended an advisory through Friday, warning that the fire could elevate smoke and ozone levels in the Las Vegas area.

But the DEQ says air quality is either Moderate or Unhealthy for most of the state.

This advisory is in effect through 2 p.m. Thursday, at which time conditions will be evaluated again on a county?by?county basis. The advisory does not include Indian reservations. That’s from a four stage scale the DEQ uses to define progressively more serious air quality events. She says it’s already bad in Libby and air quality remains lousy in the Bitterroot Valley. That includes campfires, recreational fires, weed burning and residential burning.

The advisory is considered to be a Stage 1 or Caution level. The elderly, children and people with existing lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as they normally would, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Smoky skies from wildfires in western Montana, Idaho, and Washington are creating reduced or even hazardous air quality in some areas.

In other words, there’s a massive amount of smoke just over the mountains in Idaho and it’s headed into Montana.

To reduce exposure, the department recommends limiting outdoor exertion, such as exercise.