Pollution alert issued in Southern Nevada

Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.

Stagnant air, distant forest fire smoke and dust combined over the Las Vegas Valley today to cause unhealthful air conditions.

The haze hanging in this morning's air came as light winds brought smoke, dust and humidity from former hurricane Juliette into the valley from the east, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Fuis said. Juliette has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.

The worst reading from the Clark County Health District's pollution monitors reached 320 at the city of Las Vegas site downtownabout 10:20 a.m.

That meant about 320 particles of dust in every cubic yard of air. Anything over 100 is considered unhealthful. An average day in Las Vegas is in the 40s or 50s.

Four other stations, according to the Health District's website, were reading at unhealthful levels for pollution, ranging in the 120s to 130s on the Air Quality Index. Another seven were unhealthful for sensitive persons.

The valley's air has been stagnant for the past three days, allowing fine dust particles to hang in the air, Fuis said. Winds between 3 mph and 10 mph shifted overnight, drawing some light smoke from forest fires burning east of Las Vegas around the Grand Canyon.

Humidity levels reached 36 percent from Juliette, which struck the Baja coast last week.

Although the stagnant air is not expected to move out of the valley soon, Fuis said Tuesday should bring warmer, drier air to Southern Nevada.

The Health District is issuing an air quality alert that will be in effect until midnight tonight.

This means that people should cut back on any outdoor activities, such as fitness walking and jogging.