California wildfire reducing air quality in Nevada

Air quality throughout large areas of the US have been affected by the huge wildfire that is still burning at the edge of Yosemite National Park. The fire has consumed properties and forest areas, as well as causing possible issues with water and electricity supplies. Now the smoke caused by the fire is reducing the air quality of towns and cities some 160 kilometres away.

Nevada has been heavily affected by the lowered air quality caused by the Rim Fire in California, which is so large pictures from NASA show that it is visible from space. Emergency warnings have been issued in the Carson City and Reno area of Nevada after heavy smoke blew in from the fire, causing many people to seek medical attention for severe throat and eye irritation. People have been urged to stay indoors where possible and schools have now been closed twice in a week.

So far the fire in California has stretched across a 780-square kilometre area. US fire officials are claiming that the fire is now 23 percent contained and will reach full containment within the next three weeks. However, many news sources are suggesting that the fire is currently spreading deeper into the Yosemite National Park.

The fire has caused Nevada's air quality to be measured at over the level of 'hazardous' for a brief period, before it improved slightly and has stayed around 'very unhealthy' on the scale in many areas of the state. The highly unhealthy levels of air pollution caused by the fire are more dangerous for people with heart or respiratory problems, who are advised to avoid any form of physical activity in outdoor areas.

Air pollution levels around Carson City are registering at the highest recorded since 2000, according to the information manager for Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, JoAnn Kittrell. Small particulate matter, which have been linked to a number of serious health issues, are particularly high in areas of the city.