State urges Carson City, Douglas County valley residents not to burn due to poor air quality
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection is asking people in the Eagle and Carson Valleys to refrain from burning wood this week during a period of stagnant air. Where wood is the only option, people should burn as cleanly as possible.
Strong temperature inversions and stagnant weather conditions can cause air pollution levels to increase rapidly in the valleys of Carson City and Douglas County.
During an inversion, when haze is visible over the valleys, residents are urged to refrain from using fireplaces, wood and pellet stoves and to use an alternate heat source until a weather system moves in to clear out the trapped air pollution. Reducing burning now can help prevent air pollution from reaching unhealthy levels. If you must use your fireplace, woodstove, or pellet stove, then remember to:
• Use only dry, seasoned wood;
• Build small, hot fires instead of large smoldering ones;
• Give your fire a generous air supply; and
• Never burn trash including newspapers and magazines.
Existing weather conditions are forecasted to last through the New Year. Residents are advised to check air quality at nvair.ndep.nv.gov. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection uses six categories to describe air quality: Good; Moderate; Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; Unhealthy; Very Unhealthy; and Hazardous. Air pollution can pose a serious health threat to children with asthma, the elderly and those with respiratory issues. Please contact your health care professional with health-related concerns and questions.