California controlled burn degrades Valley air quality

Smoke from a controlled burn near Calaveras Big Trees State Park is degrading air quality in Western Nevada.

An air quality gauge at Genoa indicated a reading of 188, well into the unhealthy range. 

Visibility at Minden-Tahoe Airport dropped to 1.75 miles at 5:15 p.m. as the west wind moved smoke from South Lake Tahoe into western Carson Valley.

"Smoke from a prescribed burn on the west slopes of the Sierra east of Big Trees has drifted into the Tahoe area and was producing reduced visibility," National Weather Service forecasters said at 4:45 p.m. "Latest  simulations show the smoke dispersing this evening as breezy south winds ahead of our frontal system keep things mixed up."

California State Parks is conducting a 1,300-acre prescribed burn in the park with assistance from CalFire and U.S. Forest Service in the South Grove area.

The fire sent smoke into the Kirkwood area sending air quality into the unhealthy range and continued into South Lake Tahoe.

The air quality sensor in Ranchos Aspen Park indicated moderate air quality.