California fires once again prompt air quality advisory in the valley

By Jesse Granger

Published Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 | 10:59 a.m.

Updated Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 | 11:22 a.m.

Wildfires burning in Southern and central California have triggered an air quality advisory in Las Vegas through the holiday weekend, according to the Clark County Department of Air Quality.

The advisory is effective through Monday for elevated levels of ozone and smoke, but officials said that at this time, levels of ozone and particulate matter are not yet “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

DAQ officials believe the main sources of the smoke are the Chimney Fire in San Luis Obispo County, which has burned 46,344 acres and is 97 percent contained, and the Soberanes Fire, a 95,716-acre fire burning in the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, Garrapata State Park, areas south of the Carmel Valley and areas surrounding Big Sur that is 60 percent contained. Cal Fire is also battling the Sunny Fire, just east of Fresno, which has burned 120 acres and was only 50 percent contained, according to fire.ca.gov, which lists many other fires at varying levels of containment.

Air Quality officials say smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to ground-level ozone formation. People with respiratory problems or cardiac disease, young children and senior citizens may be most sensitive to elevated levels of ozone and fine particles.

Officials suggest people to limit outdoor exertion, keep windows and doors closed, clean air filters and consult a physician if you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to air quality conditions.