Expect smoke conditions to improve tonight

Smoke in the Snyderville Basin derived from California wildfires last summer. Photo: Parker Malatesta

SALT LAKE CITY — The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Salt Lake City said thick smoke from Northern California upstream fires will remain in northern Utah throughout the day.

“Expect conditions to begin improving tonight as the winds become more northerly,” the NWS said in a tweet.

In parts of I-80 in the West Desert, the NWS is reporting less than two miles of surface visibility because of the smoke.

Here are the most recent surface visibility observations from areas experiencing thicker smoke… notice the visibility dropping below 2 miles across portions of I-80 in the West Desert 👀 #utwx pic.twitter.com/orDkIhMSzA

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 6, 2021

They recommend reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors today.

Taking in heavy amounts of particulate matter from the air can have negative impacts on lung health and other parts of the body.

Particulate matter are the small particles in the air that derive from wildfires, dust, soot, and liquid droplets. The particles are emitted from things stretching from a car to a factory to a wood-burning stove.