smoke

Mountain West cities are heavily polluted by smog, particles from wildfire smoke, report finds

Kaleb Roedel

A new report from the American Lung Association shows cities across the Western U.S. have some of the most polluted air in the country. But that’s not the case everywhere in the Mountain West.

An overhead view of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, as smog hangs over the city.

Public Health

Nevada, New Mexico are on opposite ends of the air pollution spectrum, analysis finds

Kaleb Roedel

A new analysis of air pollution across the country reveals a wide range throughout the Mountain West.

Smoke drifts above a wildfire in Utah last summer.

Public Health

Wildfire smoke and smog make air pollution a growing problem out West

Madelyn Beck

The Mountain West is known for big blue skies. But several cities here are among the nation’s worst for short-term air pollution levels, according to a new American Lung Association study. Wildfire smoke is an increasing factor, but so is smog from growing cities across the region.

A bear is standing on all four legs walking over sand and some grass.

KUNR Today: Tahoe bears coming out of hibernation, NSHE chancellor may resign soon

Kaleb Roedel

Read or listen to the morning news headlines for Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Energy and Environment

Singed migration: Birds detour around wildfire smoke, study finds

Maggie Mullen

New research is the first to use GPS-tracking data to look into the effects of wildfire smoke on bird migration. Its findings suggest that tagged geese changed their behavior to avoid smoky conditions.

A plane is flying over part of the Richard Spring Fire while dropping retardant. The sky is filled with smoke, casting a sepia tone over the image. There are several small structures surrounded by trees toward the bottom of the composition.

Energy and Environment

Report Spotlights The Socioeconomics Of Wildfire Risk

Bert Johnson

A new report on wildfire risk uses demographic data to highlight counties around the West that may be especially vulnerable.The nonprofit research group…

A residential neighborhood in Portland, Oregon thick with wildfire smoke.

When Your House Was Built May Determine How Well It Keeps Out Wildfire Smoke

Maggie Mullen

New research indicates newer homes and those constructed with central air conditioning may be better at keeping wildfire smoke out.

Multiple tanks with oxygen nozzles coming out of them. The tanks are on top of a counter with several people seated or standing around it.

Business and Economy

Business Beat: Oxygen Bar Offering Relief From Wildfire Smoke, Casinos Setting Record Wins

Kaleb Roedel

Here’s the latest business news from around Northern Nevada, with Business Beat from the Northern Nevada Business Weekly.Oxygen Bar Offering Tahoe…

A photo from a higher vantage point of people walking across a grassy field in front of a large brick building. There are food trucks parked on the sidewalk. There’s another large building in the far background that’s slightly hazy from wildfire smoke.

Local Stories

UNR Students Return To Campus For First Day Of Fall Semester 2021

Lucia Starbuck

Monday marked the first day of classes for more than 20,000 students at the University of Nevada, Reno. KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck went out at lunchtime to see…

A photo taken from the top of a hill, looking down at a city with a group of casinos in the far background, along with houses and trees in the middle ground. The city is covered in a dark, thick, smoky haze from wildfires.

KUNR Today: Washoe Co. Asks Residents To Stay Inside Due To Air Quality, UNR’s First Day Of Classes

Lucia Starbuck

Here are the local news headlines for the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021.Washoe County Health District Advising People To Stay IndoorsBy Lucia…