Clark County issues air quality warning for Las Vegas Valley this weekend

Las Vegas (KLAS) – Due to last weekend’s wildfires, Clark County has issued an air quality warning for the Las Vegas Valley.

Leah Martin told 8 News Now that she, like many others, was surprised by the intense smell of smoke wafting through the valley.

“When I came out of the house this morning, we could smell the smoke,” Martin said.

Martin is currently training for a marathon and added that she had to change her normal routine as she noticed her body reacting to the smoke and heat.

“I have asthma. It was very difficult for me to breathe and I had to slow down to keep going. When you can’t breathe, you quickly start to panic,” said Martin.

Dr. Vikas Sayal, a pulmonologist with the Pulmonology Group in Henderson, said he is already receiving some concerns from patients.

“I have received at least two to three calls. Even though you may not feel the symptoms, it has a significant impact on your immune system,” said Dr. Sayal.

Due to the raging wildfires in California, particularly the Borel and Trout fires, Clark County issued an Air Quality Alert for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28.

“The air quality index in Las Vegas is 107 and a good quality index is between 0 and 50. The higher it is, the worse,” added Dr. Sayal.

According to Clark County, “wildfire smoke consists of small particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma or heart disease.”

The county also said children, the elderly, pets, and people with respiratory and heart conditions may be better off staying indoors, and that anyone who is sensitive to air quality due to a medical condition should seek medical attention.

Some helpful tips to limit smoke exposure include staying indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, considering changing cabin filters, and additionally limiting physical exertion outdoors, as physical activity makes breathing harder and increases the amount of particles you can inhale.