Advisory Issued Regarding Smoke and Ash from WildfiresThe New
Mexico Tech community is advised to take special precautions
regarding smoke and ash from several wildfires burning in
Arizona and parts of New Mexico that continue to affect air
quality in the state. An official advisory issued by the N.M.
Dept. of Health advocates that “sensitive groups, such as the
elderly, small children or any individuals with respiratory or
heart problems, leave the area where smoke levels are high,
until the smoke dissipates; or stay inside as much as possible.”
Individuals with chronic respiratory or heart disease also are
urged not to use swamp coolers, which pull smoke inside. “Smoke
can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and
intensify chronic heart and lung problems, and people with heart
disease may experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and
shortness of breath or fatigue,” said Department of Health
Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Catherine Torres, in the advisory. “If
there is smoke nearby, remain indoors and cl