Here's a news flash, there's lots of fine particulate matter in the air, along with bigger pieces and ozone. The National Weather Service is echoing the Washoe County Health Department's Stage Two Air Pollution alert, which puts air quality at a very unhealthful level. Right now is the worst of it as the winds have stopped and the smoke is settling at ground level.
The tips for dealing with the smoke are pretty much the same as any other airborne contaminant. Keep the windows closed, reconsider running in that triathlon, use air conditioners and fans to keep air circulating inside. Washoe County has a recorded air quality message at (775) 785-4110 that probably applies to us as well.
Don't expect any relief from the smoke until at least Friday as the west wind keeps blowing and California keeps burning today. We may start generating some smoke of our own if the forecast predicting a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms on Sunday holds. The good news is that the wind shifts east and will blow the smoke back into California. The bad news is that wildfire season has arrived.
