Wildfires that continue to spread across California have pushed smoke into neighboring states, and several Nevada counties reported this week their worst levels of air quality index (AQI).
The Air Quality Management Division of Washoe County, Nevada, Reno country, reported Tuesday an AQI number of 289, which belongs to the rank of government agencies they consider “very unhealthy.”
The county shared images on Twitter of the same Reno area, with one dam last month showing a clear view of the mountain and the other dam on Tuesday showing it dark and clouded with smoke.
To get an idea of what Reno / Sparks is like right now compared to one of the cleanest days of the last month.
The current view is shown from the left @NWSRenowebcam (AirNow NowCast AQI 289) with #CaldorFire smoke
The right was on 20/07/21 (AirNow NowCast AQI of 58) with / #TamarackFire smoke pic.twitter.com/w6HXzwMR2X
– Washoe County AQMD (@WashoeCountyAQ) August 24, 2021
Washoe County said the average 24-hour AQI on Monday was 291, surpassing the 251 record set the day before.
AQI numbers ranging from 201 to 300 are considered “very unhealthy,” while numbers 301 and above are labeled “dangerous.”
“Very unhealthy and dangerous air quality due to #CaldorFire smoke continues to affect Washoe County,” the agency posted in a tweet. “#BeSmokeSmart everyone should stay indoors and do light activity just indoors.”
The county agency said in a follow-up tweet that fine particulate matter (PM) levels were also reaching high levels, and wrote that “the ten worst average daily AQIs of PM2.5 have now occurred. in the last 11 months “.
With a new record, the ten worst daily average AQI of PM2.5 have occurred in the last eleven months. We also set a record for the worst day PM10 with an AQI of 183. Ozone was approaching the top ten, which has not changed since 2008.
– Washoe County AQMD (@WashoeCountyAQ) August 24, 2021
The Washoe County School District closed all public schools Monday in Reno, Sparks and Incline Village on Lake Tahoe because of air quality concerns that pose safety dangers for youth, according to The Associated Press.
Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, also issued a smoke warning on Tuesday, which eventually extended through Wednesday due to concerns about the continuity of dust particles and other pollutants that people with respiratory problems can be especially sensitive.
Good morning! If you have respiratory sensitivity, be careful today. A #VegasAirQuality the smoke warning is in effect all day today. Smoke from fires from California is expected to reach the region. For more information: https://t.co/RpOt9rClss. pic.twitter.com/1u4w2MTTMs
– Environment and sustainability (@SustainClarkCty) August 24, 2021
California wildfires, Dixie and Caldor, are some of the largest still burning across the state, causing a cloud of smoke over Nevada and ash rain on cars in some areas, according to the AP.
Currently, approximately 13,500 firefighters are deployed across California to help contain a dozen major wildfires, the AP reported.