Thursday, May 7, 2026. Reno, Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health’s newest air monitoring station is now operational in Verdi, expanding real-time air monitoring coverage and strengthening the region’s ability to respond to wildfire smoke and other pollution events.

The Verdi station is among the seven operated by NNPH’s Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) in Washoe County and fills a long-standing data gap in an area that often experiences some of the earliest and highest impacts from wildfire smoke.

Located near Verdi Elementary School, the new station provides near real-time data on fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10 and PM10-2.5), ozone, and meteorological conditions.

Data from the station is reported hourly to www.AirNow.gov  and is integrated into regional weather and smoke forecasting models, helping residents, schools, and local businesses make informed decisions during air quality events.

“The addition of the Verdi monitoring station represents an important step in protecting public health in a growing part of our community,” said Dr. Chad Kingsley, District Health Officer for Northern Nevada Public Health. “This station will improve our ability to provide timely, accurate information so people can take action to reduce their exposure during periods of poor air quality.”

The project builds on ongoing partnerships with the Washoe County School District (WCSD) and the National Weather Service in Reno to enhance regional smoke forecasting, public messaging, and health protections, especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers, and individuals with heart or lung conditions.

“I want to thank the Washoe County School District and the National Weather Service for their partnership in making this possible,” said Francisco Vega, Division Director for AQMD. “Our team has worked extremely hard to bring this station online, and we’re proud to provide the community with critical air quality data to help protect their health.”

See where other AQMD monitoring stations are located in Washoe County.

Verdi is expected to see significant growth in the coming decades, with more than 3,000 homes anticipated along with additional businesses and industry. The new monitoring station ensures that the community has access to localized, reliable air quality data as it continues to expand.

This effort also marks a return of air monitoring to the area. A Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) monitoring station previously operated at Verdi Elementary School from 1968 to 1989.

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The new station represents an investment of more than $250,000, including instrumentation, construction, and installation, from the EPA Enhanced Air Monitoring for Communities grant. This investment reflects support primarily from Federal Grant funding supplemented with additional State funding. NNPH continues our commitment to protecting air quality and public health across Washoe County.

For more information about air quality in Washoe County, www.OurCleanAir.com.

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Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of four public-facing divisions: Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Population Health. More info can be found here.