Not only will it be hot over the next several days, but hazy at times as well. The majority of the smoke is coming from northern California and southern Oregon. As the wind direction comes out of the northwest, more smoke can come in. Light winds allows the smoke to be stagnant and sit there. Light winds can also allow smoke to settle into the valley like a bowl. As high pressure builds, wind speeds will be light overall, but picking up each afternoon from the Washoe Zephyr. The wind direction will be coming out of the west northwest, allowing for some smoke to settle into the Truckee Meadows through this weekend.
The air quality in Reno is forecasted to be moderate over the next several days, but worse closer to the fires. The Green Fire is located in the Shasta National Forest, north of Redding. It is just over 5,000 acres as of 5:45pm Thursday. The Orleans Complex is located to the west of the Green Fire and is around 3,700 acres in size as of Thursday evening.
The air quality in Reno was moderate for much of Thursday but turned Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups after 5pm. Everyone is susceptible to complications from the smoke when the air quality is unhealthy.
