Published Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 | 9:37 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 | 2:29 p.m.
The Las Vegas area is under an air quality advisory because of elevated levels of smoke and ozone from Northern California wildfires, according to the Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability. The advisory was issued this morning and later extended through Sunday.
Smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to ground-level ozone formation, officials said.
People who may be most sensitive to elevated levels of particulates and ozone include those with respiratory problems, cardiac disease, young children and senior citizens, officials said.
High winds and hot, dry weather have fed a dozen uncontrolled wildfires in Northern California, including the month-old Dixie Fire and the nearby Caldor Fire in the northern Sierra Nevada that incinerated much of the small rural towns of Greenville and Grizzly Flats.
No deaths have been reported despite the speed and damage of the blazes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
