Smoke from regional wildfires is expected to affect air quality in parts of the Reno-Sparks area, prompting Northern Nevada Public Health to issue an Air Quality Advisory until further notice.
The advisory covers the Reno-Sparks area and comes as smoke from regional fires, including the Bug and Fred Mountain fires, moves into areas downwind of the blazes.
Air quality models and sensor readings indicate the Air Quality Index could reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy range for PM2.5 in the Spanish Springs and North Valleys areas later Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
The areas closest to the wildfires and those downwind of them are expected to see the greatest impacts. Conditions can change quickly depending on wind and how active a fire becomes.
Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, outdoor workers and people with asthma or other lung diseases, should limit their outdoor exposure when the AQI reaches 101 to 150, the range considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
People with asthma should follow their asthma action plan and keep quick-relief medicine available. Everyone else should consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
Residents can check the AirNow.gov Fire Map or use the AirNow.gov app for the latest air quality information and updates.
Northern Nevada Public Health's Air Quality Management Division also recommends its Be Smoke Smart program for information about protecting yourself when wildfire smoke is present.
More information about the Air Quality Management Division is available through OurCleanAir.com.
