Smoke from Wildfires Impacts Air Quality in Las Vegas

May 21, 2024

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Las Vegas, Nevada – Smoke from wildfires, such as the Wildcat Fire in Arizona, can have far-reaching effects on air quality, even hundreds of miles away. NEWS.ORG 5 recently delved into how the Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability monitors air quality in the region known as The Valley.

Monitoring Air Quality in The Valley

The Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability maintains approximately 15 air quality monitoring sites strategically positioned across the county. Kevin MacDonald, the department’s Public Information Officer, emphasized the importance of these locations, stating, “We try to keep them in places where people live so we can get a good, accurate picture of air quality around Clark County.”

Strategic Placement of Monitoring Sites

These monitoring sites are strategically distributed, with some located as far south as Jean and as far north as Mesquite. The majority, however, are concentrated within The Valley, including the air quality monitoring site at the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex in Henderson.

Monitoring Pollutants

At these sites, intake devices atop sheds pull in air for analysis. The collected data allows the department to monitor various pollutants, including ozone levels, as well as smoke, soot, and dust particles.

Accessing Data

The gathered data is made readily available to the public through the county’s air quality website, offering residents the opportunity to stay informed about the air they breathe.

By monitoring air quality closely, authorities can take appropriate measures to safeguard public health and the environment, particularly in regions susceptible to wildfires and other sources of air pollution.

[Source: NEWS.ORG 5, 2024]