NEWS
At what level of poor air quality is it dangerous for me? See guidelines
Carly SauvageauReno Gazette Journal
Aug. 11, 2026, 2:10 p.m. PT
Smoky skies are a common sight for Northern Nevada this week as three fires burn through Washoe County. As smoke continues to fill the region, causing moderate air pollution in some places, it can create health concerns for residents; particularly children, seniors and those with lung problems
Air quality alerts are based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) a scale used to measure how clean or polluted the air is. An AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 150 are classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups and levels above 150 are considered unhealthy for everyone
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can travel deep into the lung causing coughing, throat irritation, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. Smoke may also worsen asthma, heart disease and other existing health conditions
Health officials recommend extra caution when AQI levels exceed 100 especially for children, older adults, pregnant women and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, because they are at greater risk of the health risks associated with smoke exposure. These people should limit time outdoors during these periods
There are several steps residents can take to reduce exposure. Staying indoors with windows and doors closed can help keep smoke out of homes, especially when using purifiers and high-quality filtration systems. People should avoid strenuous outdoor activities such as running, hiking, or yard work when conditions worsen. Pets can also be affected by smoky air and may benefit from spending more time indoors
Because conditions can change throughout the day, residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality regularly. Current conditions and forecasts are available through airnow.gov
