Nevada-Douglas County Emergency Management and The Bureau of Pollution Control are closely monitoring air quality concerns from smoke conditions drifting into the valley from the Rim Fire in Tuolumne County, according to a Douglas County news release.
The Rim Fire was estimated at nearly 54,000 acres as of 7 a.m. Thursday morning, up from 16,000 acres on Wednesday. The most recent air samples from this afternoon put the current air quality in the upper end of the "moderate" level in the Carson Valley, the news release states.
This is likely to move into the “unsafe” category within the next few hours. It is recommended that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma and/or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting with their personal physician.
A map of the smoke and the fire can be viewed here.