EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment issued a smoke advisory on Tuesday, June 17, for communities affected by the Trout Fire in the Silver City area and the Buck Fire near Aragon.
NMHealth said the advisory is in effect in Grant and Catron counties until at least mid-afternoon Tuesday, pending further notice.
Smoke from the Buck Fire may be visible from Highway 12 southeast of the community of Aragon and southwest of Highway 60, NMHealth said.
NMHealth said the Trout Fire, north of Silver City, is expected to continue moving north and east, depending on wind direction and other weather conditions. Smoke can travel long distances and may harm air quality as far away as the Las Cruces area.
“New Mexicans can take simple steps to protect their health when the outdoor air quality is diminished due to smoke from wildland fires,” Dr. Chelsea Langer, bureau chief of the Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, said. “Those steps include using the 5-3-1 visibility method, minimizing time outside, and establishing a clean indoor environment.”
NMHealth is encouraging the community to visit here to learn how to use the 5-3-1 method and get practical health tips for smoky days.
According to NMHealth:
- If visibility is under 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness and they should reduce outdoor activity.
- If visibility is under 3 miles, young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses should stay inside.
- If visibility is under 1 mile, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone and everyone should stay inside. Unless an evacuation has been issued, stay inside your home, indoor workplace, or in a safe shelter.
“As smoke from the Trout and Buck fires affects communities in Grant and Catron counties, we urge residents to stay alert and take steps to protect their health,” Cindy Hollenberg, air quality bureau chief for the New Mexico Environment Department, said. “We’ll continue to monitor and provide the most accurate data possible so that residents have timely and accurate information for decision-making.”
Additionally, NMHealth said residents can improve indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events using indoor air cleaners, including Do-It-Yourself air cleaners.
Visit here for guidance on how to make Do-It-Yourself air cleaners.
NMHealth said the community may also need to take steps to keep their homes cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. Running swamp coolers is not recommended, as they bring in air from the outside.
NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/health/climate/HeatIllness.html.
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