The National Weather Service issued a dense smoke advisory for the Reno area after the Hog Fire near Susanville, Calif. brought smoke and ash to the region Monday.
As a result, people should stay indoors as much as possible, the weather service advised. Some Reno residents found a layer of ash on their cars Monday morning.
Smoke and haze from the Hog Fire is expected to impact visibility and air quality for western Nevada and parts of the Tahoe Basin until fire activity significantly decreases.
The Hog Fire has burned more than 5,800 acres and is at zero percent containment as of Monday morning, according to CalFire.
According to the Washoe County Health District’s Air Quality Management Division, the air quality in Reno-Sparks reached an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, with an air quality index of 102 Monday.
“The weather will determine which areas will get more smoke than others,” said Daniel Inouye, branch chief for the division. “Right now, Reno-Sparks has been impacted, but not as much as other areas closer to the fire.”
Inouye said his biggest concern is the air pollutant that the smoke is putting out. The small particles in the air could bypass natural defense mechanisms, such as the nose and throat, and penetrate into the lungs—affecting mostly young children, the elderly, and those suffering from underlying respiratory illnesses.
“If you smell smoke, it’s already impacting you,” Inouye said, adding the air quality could change very quickly if the fire gets worse or if there’s a shift in wind direction.
Residents are advised to avoid any outdoor activities and stay indoors, preferably with the windows closed and the air conditioning on. Inouye said people should also drink plenty of water.
At a glance:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released information on how wildfire smoke can impact people suffering from underlying respiratory illnesses, including those with COVID-19:
- Wildfire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health.
- Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
- Children younger than 18, adults at the age of 65 of or over, pregnant women and outdoor workers are most at risk from wildfire smoke. That also includes people suffering from chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, asthma or diabetes.
- Others at risk are people who are immunocompromised and those with or are recovering from COVID-19.
- Because COVID-19 affects heart and lung function, people with the disease may be at increased risk of health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke.
For more information, visit the Air Quality Management Division’s website at ourcleanair.com.
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