LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Clark County officials have issued an air quality smoke advisory for Friday, Oct. 16, as winds threaten to push wildfire smoke from Arizona into Southern Nevada.
Strong easterly winds are expected to transport smoke from prescribed burns in northern and central Arizona across the state line and into the Las Vegas Valley, according to the Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability’s Division of Air Quality.
County officials advised residents and visitors to limit outdoor exposure, warning that smoke carries fine particulate matter and pollutants that can aggravate respiratory illness and accelerate ground-level ozone formation.
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Health officials noted that exposure to airborne soot can trigger coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, even among otherwise healthy individuals.
According to guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, individuals most vulnerable to elevated particulate and ozone levels include young children, older adults, and people diagnosed with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. Health authorities urge anyone with chronic conditions to consult their physician if symptoms arise.
To minimize smoke exposure, Clark County officials recommend the following precautions:
- Stay indoors when smoke is visible or noticeable by smell.
- Keep all residential windows and doors closed.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise or heavy exertion during periods of high particulate pollution.
- Inspect and replace indoor air filters if dirty or clogged.
Air pollution levels are continuously tracked through a monitoring network stationed across the Las Vegas Valley.
Real-time conditions and daily forecasts are available online at the AirVision web measuring system, through the federal AIRNow mobile application, or via daily email and text notifications on the Envior air Quality Notifications.
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