Wildfire Smoke Prompts Health advisories Across California and Nevada
HANOVER, CA – Dense smoke from the Garnet Fire is triggering air quality alerts and advisories across portions of California and Nevada, impacting visibility and posing health risks to residents, particularly sensitive groups. As of Monday, Hawthorne, Nevada, is experiencing “unhealthy” air quality, while areas in Esmeralda County, Nevada, are facing unsafe conditions for those with respiratory sensitivities.
The ongoing smoke event underscores the growing threat of wildfire-related air pollution, wich the National Weather service (NWS) estimates contributes to over 100,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S. The Garnet Fire, currently burning in California, is generating intense heat that lifts smoke high into the atmosphere, where it spreads widely before descending and impacting ground-level air quality.
A Dense Smoke Advisory issued by the NWS office in Hanford, California, remains in effect for areas including Auberry and Cedar Grove, California, thru Wednesday morning. Visibility may be reduced to a mile or less in affected regions, creating hazardous driving conditions. Firefighters are actively working to protect McKinley Grove and its sequoia trees.The U.S. environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that smoke becomes more diluted as it descends, but still poses a risk. Air quality levels are not expected to improve significantly until wind patterns shift or fire containment increases.
