Air quality worsens Tuesday morning over Carson City, Carson Valley skies
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 9:04am
Air quality in Carson City reached an “unhealthy” status Tuesday morning, with a 153 on the Air Quality Index. In Carson Valley, an AQI monitor in Gardnerville registered 129 placing the area in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.
“Unhealthy” air quality status means everyone in the area may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Those with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" means those with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
In the Reno and Sparks area, the AQI was 136, which also means “unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
Increasing westerly winds by midweek could improve conditions for a time, but may bring smoke from other California wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the Eastern Sierra and Sierra Front through Tuesday.
Temperatures will remain above average this week, though slightly cooler than last week. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and evenings due to forecasted higher winds and lower humidity.
For more air quality information, go to AirNow here and click on the map. Regular air quality updates for our region can be found at nvair.ndep.nv.gov.
With several fires burning in Northern California and Nevada, air quality levels are expected to remain change between “moderate” “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and “unhealthy.”
Carson Tahoe Health recommends everyone start to consider the following precautions in times of moderate or worse levels:
— Shelter in place, stay indoors.
— Keep hydrated to suppress a cough and help prevent smoky air from settling in the lungs
— Use air conditioning if possible. This helps filter air throughout the house
— Keep all doors and windows shut in both home and vehicles, when in a vehicle make sure the air conditioner is set to recirculate the air
— Humidifiers can help with the air quality in a home or building
— Masks are available for purchase at hardware stores and can help filter the air and aid in comfort; especially for those with breathing disorders
Seek emergency care if:
— You are having trouble breathing or can’t say more than four words without having to stop and take a breath
— You experience excessive sweating
— Your lips are turning blue
— You are confused or lose consciousness
The weather service advises to avoid prolonged exposure if possible and reconsider outdoor activities at this time.
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