A noticeable smoke haze will cover much of the Wasatch Range until Wednesday morning, forecasters said, as wildfires in eastern Utah and neighboring western states continue to burn.
While largely affecting northern Utah, higher smoke concentrations are expected for the Wasatch Back.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the air quality index stood at 70 at the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is considered “moderate.” Across Park City, Kamas and Heber City, the index ranged between 150 and 163 – a level listed as “unhealthy” for most groups.
The Yellow Lake Fire – in eastern Wasatch County – is the main contributor to current air quality conditions, but smoke from over a dozen wildfires in Oregon, Idaho and Nevada are also playing a part, said Jon Wilson, a meteorologist with Salt Lake City’s National Weather Service office.
Wind direction should change course by Wednesday, Wilson added, as models broadcast a switch to southwest winds that will last until Saturday, possibly longer.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Yellow Lake Fire has covered 19,903 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The service noted that while smoke inversion settles into Wasatch valleys, it should not be taken as increased fire activity.
For Utahns living along the Wasatch Range, Wilson suggested limiting outdoor exposure during night and morning hours. The best times, he said, lie during the warmer portions of the day.
But, Wilson cautioned, projected smoke forecasts are sound “as long as nothing changes with wildfire activity.”
“The one thing you can’t forecast is where another wildfire will happen,” Wilson said. “Anything can happen with that in a very short amount of time.”
