Clark County Issues First-Ever Seasonal Smoke Advisory After Years of Wildfire Menace

The Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) issued a season-long ozone and wildfire smoke alert recently, which will be in effect from April 1 until September 30.

The seasonal ozone advice is routine, but in 2022, the agency will also issue a seasonal smoke alert for the first time. The smoke alert is required, according to authorities, since wildfire smoke has drifted into Southern Nevada four out of the last five summers.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said individuals with respiratory difficulties or heart illness, young children, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to increased levels of particles. Even in healthy persons, ozone can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, sore throat, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath.

Ozone is a crucial component of urban smog at ground level, which may build up throughout the day during the warmest months of the year owing to intense sunshine, high temperatures, vehicular emissions, and wildfires.

DES director Marci Henson said: "This is a necessary change to our seasonal air quality advisory due to the impacts of climate change, drought and other factors. Wildfire smoke during the summer months has become the new normal for Las Vegas, right alongside ozone formation, and we want to be sure the public is informed so they can make their best decisions moving forward.”