National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have issued a weather alert in Reno, Nevada, related to the Park Fire currently burning in California as Senator JD Vance, Donald Trump‘s running mate, is set to visit the city for a rally on Tuesday afternoon.
The rally comes as Vance has faced ongoing criticism since he accepted the role of Trump’s running mate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17 due to his previous comments about women, abortion, and those without children, as well as historically low approval ratings for a VP nominee. Rumors have sparked that Trump could be considering replacing Vance, but Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, previously denied reports that Trump was second-guessing his choice of running mate in a statement issued to Newsweek.
Vance is campaigning in Reno following a rally held in Henderson on Tuesday and ahead of a scheduled rally in Glendale on Wednesday. Nevada, commonly recognized as a swing state, could prove vital in the upcoming election. Recent polls have shown Trump performing strongly in Nevada and other swing states when compared to Vice President Kamala Harris—whom President Joe Biden has endorsed to replace him as the Democratic nominee.
However, hours before Vance’s rally was set to begin, a dense smoke advisory warned people to stay indoors. The advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday. It’s possible it will have no impact on Vance’s rally, which is scheduled for inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and set to begin at 4:30 p.m., although doors open at 1:30 p.m.
“Visibility below 3 miles at times and unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the Park Fire in northern California,” the alert said.
An NWS spokesperson told Newsweek that dense smoke advisories aren’t uncommon during wildfire season, especially when larger fires are burning. The smoke is spawning from California’s Park Fire, which is burning in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties. At more than 383,000 acres and only 14 percent contained, the Park Fire has become the sixth-largest wildfire in California’s history. It ignited on July 24 near Chico, California.
On Tuesday, the flames spurred the dense smoke advisory in Lassen and eastern Plumas counties in California and northern Washoe, Pershing and Churchill counties in Nevada, including Reno.
“If you have outdoor plans or work outdoors, reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and take more breaks,” the advisory said. “Smoke may lower visibility to near 1/2 mile and impact travel across western Lassen County.”
“Persons with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling smoke,” the alert added.
Vance’s Reno rally comes as the vice presidential nominee has already visited his home state of Ohio, Virginia and Minnesota. According to a report by ABC 8, Vance has delivered strong messaging about his stance on abortion and immigration, among other topics.
Senator JD Vance arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On Tuesday, a dense smoke advisory was issued ahead of Vance’s rally in Reno.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
