During wildfire season, smoke impacts air quality and can trigger utility-led power outages across the Reno-Tahoe region. Residents and visitors should monitor specific indicators to manage health risks and travel plans.
Air Quality Monitoring
Check daily air pollution forecasts using the AirNow website. These color-coded forecasts provide assessments of unhealthy air quality. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is high, limit outdoor activities and avoid exercising outdoors. Vulnerable populations—including children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with existing heart or lung conditions—should prioritize indoor environments.
Utility Power Outages
Utility providers, including NV Energy and the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD), may implement power shutoffs during extreme weather conditions or periods of elevated fire risk. These programs, such as NV Energy's Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) and TDPUD’s Preemptive Power Shutoff, are designed to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electric equipment.
These outages can last from a few hours to several days. TDPUD plans to alert the public of an impending Preemptive Power Shutoff with 48-24 hour and 12-4 hour notices. In an emergency de-energization event, where power is shut off because a wildfire is approaching equipment, notice may be limited.
During extended wildfire safety power outages, TDPUD and the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District operate an outage center at the Community Arts Center, located at 10046 Church St. in Truckee. This center offers device charging and information updates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To receive alerts, update your contact information through your utility provider's account portal. Non-account holders in the Truckee area can text "TDPUD" to 333111 to enroll in Everbridge emergency alerts.
Road Visibility and Travel
Smoke often reduces visibility on mountain passes, complicating travel. Before driving, verify the status of major routes.
Check the following pages for real-time conditions:
Check visibility on I-80 before driving through the Sierra.