It's been an active fire season so far with smoky skies beginning to fill the air in Reno.
"It hit the peak right around seven, eight, nine o'clock last night and at that point the air quality index levels were around 100," said Daniel Inouye of the Air Quality Management in Washoe County.
A value of 101 means sensitive groups could experience some effects, should limit their time outdoors, and take frequent breaks when exercising outdoors.
"That would be the young and elderly and those with existing heart and respiratory diseases should take precautions," said Inouye.
The amount of haze depends on the strength of the fires in California and the wind direction.
"The wind direction plays a big role because the fire is to the west and when we get a west wind it is going to push the smoke into Reno and the Truckee Meadows," said meteorologist Jim Wallmann.
A set up with no wind makes the air very stagnant. We were stuck with smokey skies for around two weeks because of the Rim fire almost three years ago.
"Things can change very quickly with the smoke from the fires in California," said Inouye.
 The American Fire filled the city with lots of smoke as well. The Trailhead Fire is the one we're watching right now.
"If we get a different wind direction it will blow out or say we get it from the south where there is no fire, we'll probably mix out the smoke faster," said Wallmann.
Winds speeds typically relax once the sun goes down, allowing the smoke to linger or pool in the valley overnight. Looking at the data from the Air Quality Management in Reno, our ozone values tend to be higher when there is more smoke in the air. So if you're extra sensitive to smoke, now is the time to listen to your body and know when to take a break, even if the fires don't do the same.Â
