RENO, Nev. (AP) — Worsening air pollution from the huge California wildfire more than 100 miles away triggered emergency warnings along parts of the eastern Sierra near Carson City where school children were kept inside and everyone was urged to avoid all physical activity outdoors.

The air quality index briefly surpassed the rare “hazardous” level in parts of Douglas County east of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday. It was flirting with the next-most serious stage of “very unhealthy” for all populations in the Reno-Sparks area 30 miles north.

A Reno hospital reports a slight increase in smoke-related ailments.

Health officials say air quality alerts are expected to continue in the coming days but will vary in terms of seriousness based on ever-shifting winds and the severity of the fire activity near Yosemite National Park.