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Where does the smoke in Reno come from? How bad is the air quality?

Vaseline November 8, 2024

(This story has been updated to say Friday’s planned burns have been canceled.)

Renoites out and about in the morning may notice a haze over The Biggest Little City today. According to Washoe County, the haze is partly due to a prescribed fire in Truckee.

The Truckee Fire Protection District confirmed there was an ongoing planned fire near Waddle Ranch and the Truckee Airport. On Thursday, crews worked to burn 40.8 hectares. The Truckee Fire Department originally expected to burn up to 35 acres on Friday, but canceled that plan.

“After careful review of today’s weather forecast and air quality report, there are no planned ignitions at the Waddle Ranch Preserve near Truckee Airport today. We will reassess throughout the day with the possibility of a fire happening tomorrow. Firefighters will remain on the fire scene to control smoldering stumps and extinguish stumps with excessive smoke,” TFPD said in a statement Friday.

According to CalFire, each prescribed fire operation follows a specialized fire plan that takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, vegetation moisture and smoke dispersal conditions. These factors determine whether the crew burns that day or not.

Reno’s Nevada Weather Service said an inversion will also keep the air from mixing, keeping the haze stuck in central and western Reno for now.

Is the smoke in Reno from the fires in Southern California?

No, it’s from a prescribed fire in Truckee.

What is a prescribed fire? Why do firefighters perform prescribed burns?

Prescribed fires help reduce fuels and overgrowth, reducing the severity of future wildfires and adding a layer of protection for communities. Smoke from prescribed burns is less than unplanned wildfires and can prevent future hazardous air quality conditions.

How bad is the air quality in Reno-Sparks?

Air quality in downtown and west Reno towards Truckee currently has unhealthy air quality conditions. Neighborhoods near West Plumb Lane, West 4th Street, Northgate and Somersett currently have the worst air quality.

Here you can stay informed about air quality conditions.

What is an inversion?

Inversions develop on a 24-hour cycle, when the air at higher elevations is warmer than the cooler air near the bottom surface. The air cools at night and becomes cold and dense in the early morning. The sun heats the air above it during sunrise and the temperature inversion prevents the air from mixing.

This can trap haze caused by smog or smoke in valleys like the Truckee Meadows.