Pilots asked to conserve as Western airports run low on jet fuel

Jet fuel is in high demand out West, where supply chain disruptions and demand from airlines and firefighting units are hitting both passenger flights and cargo. American Airlines even told its pilots to conserve fuel, warning them in a memo obtained by CBS News that delivery delays that started at small and midsize airports in the West could continue through mid-August.

"These challenges are not only impacting airports and airlines but also the efforts to fight the large forest fires on the West Coast," the memo states. "American Airlines station jet fuel delivery delays initially affected mostly western U.S. cities, but are now being reported at American stations across the country." Nevada state and federal officials said in a statement Saturday that jet fuel shortages could delay cargo delivery and passenger travel at Reno-Tahoe International Airport — one of the state's busiest and close to popular tourism destinations — and their focus was to minimize disruption for passengers, and the delivery of goods and help ensure those fighting wildfires had the resources they need.