Park Ranger R. Almendinger / InciWeb /National Park Service Mojave National Preserve via AP
This photo provided by the National Park Service Mojave National Preserve shows a tanker making a fire retardant drop over the York fire in Mojave National Preserve on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Monday, July 31, 2023 | 10:36 a.m.
The air quality in parts of Southern Nevada has been labeled as “unhealthy” by the National Weather Service in Las Vegas because of smoke from the York Fire that originated in the Mojave National Preserve and has been spreading east since Saturday.
While Las Vegas is about 100 miles from the Nevada-California border, where the fires crossed late Sunday, residents in the area are still being exposed to smoke, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Smoke has been prevalent in the Las Vegas sky since Saturday afternoon.
Kevin MacDonald, communications director for the Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability, said air monitors in Boulder City have shown the worst impact, followed by Henderson and eastern Clark County.
While a number of air monitoring stations showed good or moderate air quality, three stations indicated unhealthy conditions, two very unhealthy and one hazardous, MacDonald said.
MacDonald said wildfire smoke and soot contain fine particles that worsen air pollution, but it can also bring larger particle pollution in the form of dust.
The last time Clark County encountered wildfire smoke this heavy was August 2021, he said.
“Last year was a fairly light wildfire year,” MacDonald said. “This year, we’ve had some wildfire smoke influence, traces of it, but nothing quite like this.”
Those with heart or lung disease, seniors and children are urged to avoid outdoor activities and seek shelter inside, officials said.
Healthy people are usually not at major risk from short-term exposure to smoke, the EPA said. But people may still experience burning eyes, a runny nose, and even illnesses such as bronchitis from the smoke getting into their eyes and respiratory system, the agency said.
Officials recommend people with asthma, heart or lung conditions coordinate with their doctor about how to manage their condition during smoke events.
Officials also recommend purchasing a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency HVAC filter to help improve indoor air quality. Additionally, people should use high-efficiency filters in air conditioning units.
The California Air Resources Board says homes with a central ducted air conditioning and heating system should set the system to “on” to ensure air is being filtered constantly, rather than “auto,” which runs the system intermittently.
They also recommend not running house fans or swamp coolers.
People should keep windows and doors closed to reduce the smoke pollution entering the home and not burn candles, use gas, propane or wood-burning stoves, or aerosol sprays. Also, don’t fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum, officials said.
If you are outside, use an N-95 respirator mask that is tightly fitted around your nose and mouth. Don’t use dust masks or a bandana, officials said.
The fire had had grown to 77,000 acres, with no containment, as of Monday morning. The Clark County Fire Department is stationing a mobile command near the Nevada-California state line and “preparing to go on the offensive to protect residential areas,” the county said Sunday.
