In June of 2024 fires began breaking out near the LA basin in southern California. During early September larger more powerful fires began to grow and are not looking to slow down too soon. These fires have been smothering the Vegas Valley in smoke and ash and in turn caused a spike in the air quality index.
California has hot, dry conditions during fire season that contribute to the outbreaks and continuations of wildfires. These fires cause the destruction of many homes and other buildings. Many animals and other species also lose their homes and must find a place to relocate.
In California over 994,837 acres of land have been burned, 1,656 structures have caught fire and 1 casualty has been reported so far. First responders continue trying to contain the fires but due to the massive land area they occupy it is not an easy task. It is reported that three main fires are the main contributors to the smoke and ash. They are known as “The airport fire” located in the Santa Ana Mountains, “The line fire” located in the San Bernardino Mountains, and “The Bridge Fire” located in the San Gabriel Mountains.
On Thursday September 12th, Clark County issued a smoke alert. Three sites that were considered very unhealthy to be in were near Liberty High school, in Green Valley and in Boulder City. Due to this smoke alert many Clark County schools were forced to cancel outdoor practices and games to keep their athletes safe. Schools also took precautions by handing out masks as needed and opening up more space so nobody ate outside during lunch.
Only a small portion of the fires in the California mountains are contained and they may continue to spread bringing small waves of smoke and ash this way. The best thing to do when these fires cause the air quality to be labeled as “very unhealthy” is to limit exposure to the smoke and ash as much as possible. Officials say cool fronts moving in will help prevent the fires spreading and help dissipate the smoke and harmful particles in the air. It is important to remember the dangers that can come with smoke and ash and always take steps to stay safe when the conditions get rough!
