Smoke from Owens River fire starting to clear

Smoke from the Owens River fire drifted into the region affecting air quality in Northern Nevada.

Southwest winds are going to keep more smoke in the region today. As of 9 a.m. air quality for Carson City and Gardnerville was “moderate”

However, the Carson City and Reno area will see an increase in wind, with gusts up to 35 miles per hour or more by Wednesday. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Reno said there was already a significant smoke clearing by Tuesday afternoon and expect it to keep up if the winds continue as they are.

Wednesday is expected to be mostly southwest winds and will remain like that until Thursday morning, said meteorologist Edan Weishahn. Wednesday into Thursday will bring a cold front and then Thursday morning the winds will shift to the northwest.

“It will be much colder and hopefully keep the smoke away from the area,” Weishahn said.

Temperatures will drop to low 60s by Thursday with light rain or snow possible above 7,000 feet.

The Owens River Fire has consumed more than 6,000 acres. It’s burning 10 miles northeast of Mammoth Lakes and threatening structures.