Las Vegas NowAir Quality Advisory for Smoke Extended

Air Quality Advisory for Smoke Extended

The Las Vegas skyline was blanketed in smoke for the part of the weekend and now county officials say the smoke won't clear until Wednesday.

The smoke can make it harder for people to breath especially if they suffer from respiratory illnesses. Anyone with breathing problems or young children are being advised to limit their time outdoors until the smoke clears. As of Monday afternoon, the air quality was considered moderate.

"The smoke is going to re-orient, it already has today. If you look outside you can see that it's pretty much to the south and east of us," said Phillip Wiker, Clark County Air Quality.

A thick haze greeted southern Nevadans Sunday morning making it difficult to see across the normally clear valley. The smoke is blowing in from the southern California wildfires.

"It was thick brown and you could smell the smoke from the fires," said Verna Branson.

 "It certainly diffuses  the sun and certainly makes your throat burn and make your eyes water," said Darrell Maxwell.

Clark County officials say the air is polluted with dust, soot and smoke particles that can have harmful effects on the respiratory system.

"Our best  advice for people who have asthma and chronic respiratory illness need to stay inside out of smoke as much as they can," said Battalion Chief Greg Cassell, Clark County Fire Department.

Depending on the direction of the wind, more smoke could blow into the valley on Tuesday.