Weather warning issued ahead of JD Vance Rally

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) have issued a weather warning for Reno, Nevada, in connection with the Park Fire that is currently raging in California. Senator JD Vance, Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate, is scheduled to visit the city on Tuesday afternoon for a rally.

The rally comes as Vance has faced constant criticism since accepting the role as Trump’s vice presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17, over his past comments about women, abortion and childlessness, as well as historically low approval ratings for a vice presidential nominee. There have been rumors that Trump may consider replacing Vance, but Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung previously denied reports that Trump had questioned his choice of vice presidential nominee in a statement to the U.S. president. Newsweek.

Vance is campaigning in Reno after holding a rally in Henderson on Tuesday and a rally planned in Glendale on Wednesday. Nevada, commonly known as a swing state, could prove decisive in the upcoming election. Recent polls have shown Trump doing well in Nevada and other swing states compared to Vice President Kamala Harris — who is backing President Joe Biden to succeed him as the Democratic nominee.

However, hours before Vance’s rally was set to begin, a heavy smoke warning was issued, urging people to stay indoors. The warning is set to remain in effect until 2 p.m. local time Tuesday. It’s possible it won’t affect Vance’s rally, which is set to take place at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and begin at 4:30 p.m., although doors don’t open until 1:30 p.m.

“Visibility was less than 3 miles at times and air quality was unhealthy due to smoke from the Park Fire in Northern California,” the warning said.

A spokesman for the NWS said Newsweek that warnings of dense smoke are not uncommon during wildfire season, especially when larger fires are raging. The smoke is coming from California’s Park Fire, which is raging in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties. Covering more than 383,000 acres and only 14 percent contained, the Park Fire is the sixth-largest wildfire in California history. It broke out on July 24 near Chico, California.

On Tuesday, the flames triggered a dense smoke warning in California’s Lassen and eastern Plumas counties and northern Nevada’s Washoe, Pershing and Churchill counties, including Reno.

“If you plan to be outdoors or work outdoors, reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and take more breaks,” the warning says. “The smoke may reduce visibility to about half a mile and affect traffic in western Lassen County.”

“People with respiratory diseases should stay indoors to avoid inhaling smoke,” the warning continued.

Vance’s rally in Reno comes after the vice presidential candidate has already visited his home states of Ohio, Virginia and Minnesota. According to a report by ABC 8, Vance has delivered strong messages about his stance on abortion and immigration, among other issues.