Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Los Angeles area fire brings smoke to hot Las Vegas Valley

0724Haze01

Steve Marcus

Smoke from California wildfires obscures the view of Strip casinos in this view taken from I-15 and Warm Springs Road Sunday, July 24, 2016.

Not only will it be another hot day, but smoke from the Sand Fire in the Los Angeles area also has brought hazy skies and a level of ozone that may be unsafe for sensitive groups, according to the National Weather Service.

Smoke drifted west toward Pahrump on Saturday but has made its way eastward into the valley today, meteorologist Chris Outler said. The thin layer of smoke has caused some restriction of visibility across the valley, he said.

The Clark County Department of Air Quality reports a moderate level of smoke that may bother those who are unusually sensitive to ozone and have respiratory issues. Those people should avoid long exertion outdoors, according to the department’s website.

The Sand Fire, which was sparked Friday, has destroyed 18 homes and still threatens at least 1,500 as winds fan the flames into the Angeles National Forest. It has forced evacuations in Sand Canyon, near Santa Clarita, as it has burned more than 34 square miles of dry brush. In addition, law enforcement officials are investigating the death of a man found Saturday in a burned car outside a home in the fire zone.

In the valley, today’s high is forecast to be 111 degrees, Outler said. This week is expected to remain dry, starting with a high of 110 degrees Monday.

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