Dust advisory in effect through tonight

By Sun Staff (contact)

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

A dust advisory is continuing for a second day in the Las Vegas area as gusty winds extend their stay in the valley.

The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management issued a dust advisory Thursday morning that continued through today. The National Weather Service said sustained winds of 22 mph could gust up to 40 mph this afternoon and into the evening.

Strong winds Thursday brought unhealthy levels of dust to southern portions of Clark County for people with respiratory problems, air quality officials said.

The Nevada Highway Patrol reported Thursday that traffic was shut down on U.S. 95 leading to Searchlight about 60 miles south of Las Vegas because of blowing dust. Blowing dust also slowed traffic on Interstate 15 into California.

Air quality officials will continue monitoring the levels of particulate matter in the air and issue an alert today if unhealthy levels of dust occur. Officials recommended the following tips to reduce dust:

• Drive slowly on unpaved roads.

• Don't take short cuts across vacant lots.

• Ride off-road vehicles in approved areas outside the urban Las Vegas Valley.

• Fence off barren property or cover it with gravel, rock or desert-friendly landscaping.

Additional information is available on the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management Web site at www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/daqem/Pages/index.aspx.