Garnet Fire creates hazardous air quality, prompts Dense Smoke Advisories for parts of California, Nevada
Firefighters are also trying to protect McKinley Grove, which is home to giant sequoia trees. According to the Save the Redwoods League, the tallest trees in McKinley Grove are more than 230 feet high.
Time-lapse video of the raging Garnet Fire
As of the latest evening update from CalFire, the Garnet Fire is spread over 53,000 acres.
FRESNO, Calif. – People in parts of Central California and western Nevada remain under a Dense Smoke Advisory as the lightning-caused Garnet Fire rages in the West despite around-the-clock efforts to suppress the flames.
Despite days of response from firefighters' efforts, the Garnet Fire has spread across over 54,000 acres in California and is only 14% contained.
The wildfire, located primarily in Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno, California, has produced large smoke plumes since it began Aug. 24, following a lightning strike, according to officials.
Firefighters are also trying to protect McKinley Grove, which is home to giant sequoia trees. According to the Save the Redwoods League, the tallest trees in McKinley Grove are more than 230 feet high.
LIGHTNING STRIKES, DRY CONDITIONS SPARK DOZENS OF NEW BLAZES IN CALIFORNIA
The spreading Garnet Fire viewed from a distance. (ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego)
As the struggle to contain the flames continues, the smoke from the fire has spread into the beloved Yosemite National Park, where "hazardous" air quality, the worst air quality rating possible, was reported Monday. This means breathing the air would cause problems for even healthy individuals, but especially those who suffer from respiratory illnesses.
Hawthorne, Nevada, is currently under "unhealthy" air quality conditions.
A Dense Smoke Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service office in Hanford, California, for parts of both California and Nevada. According to the NWS, the smoke could reduce visibility to a mile or less at times. With lowered visibility comes an ongoing risk to drivers. Areas in the advisory include Auberry and Cedar Grove, California.
THE AIR QUALITY INDEX EXPLAINED
Low visibility and poor air quality have been issues in parts of California and neighboring areas. (ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego)
"The intense heat generated by an active wildfire drives smoke high into the air where it remains until it cools and begins to descend," read a statement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "As smoke moves downward to ground level, it becomes more diluted and often more widespread."
Air quality levels are not expected to improve until winds change or containment of the fire increases.
According to the NWS, poor air quality is responsible for an estimated more than 100,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year.