It’s no secret that the recent influx of wildfires has tarnished Southern Nevada’s air quality. Smoke frequently chokes the atmosphere here, putting residents at risk and our city on alert.

“We decided we’re gonna start issuing a seasonal wildfire smoke advisory alongside the ozone advisory to give folks…a heads up that this is something we have to learn to live with now,” says Kevin MacDonald, public information administrator for Clark County’s Division of Air Quality. “In previous years, 2018 and 2021, we had heavy exceedances for ozone those years and wildfire smoke was definitely an influencing factor.”

More than 5,000 wildland fires tore through California this year according to Cal Fire, and climate change could be a contributor. As temperatures rise, conditions become drier and heat intensifies wildfires, making them burn longer.

MacDonald says wildfire smoke can blow in from hundreds of miles away. And while being able to visibly see smoke and dust is concerning, the formation of ozone, an odorless, colorless gas, is our primary outdoor air quality challenge, he says.

Ground-level ozone thrives in hot, sunny places like Clark County, where “the mountains surrounding our region create a ‘bowl’ for pollutants to settle and cook in the sun,” MacDonald says.

In July, MacDonald recorded 15 days that surpassed the ozone standard, “which was our worst month in six years,” he adds. The American Lung Association also issued Clark County an F grade for high ozone days.

Like smoke and dust, unhealthy levels of ozone can be harmful to inhale, especially for seniors, kids, pets and people with COPD or asthma, MacDonald says. On bad air quality days, he recommends changing your filters, staying indoors and exercising in the mornings before pollutants can build up.

Also, let’s cool it with the smoky celebrations.

“In terms of wildfires, all I tell people is if you’re going to do a gender reveal party, let’s leave the fireworks out of it,” MacDonald says.

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