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Nicole Gonzales and Tom Callan reportingThe skies may be sunny and blue today, but for the second day in a row it's a red-air day along the Wasatch Front.
The Utah Division of Air Quality issued an unhealthy air alert for Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Utah counties today, and tomorrow we're looking at more poor air quality.
Once you get a little above the valley, you can really see all the gunk in the air. But we talked to many people who just can't resist going outside to feel the warm weather.
"It's not as bad as some winter days. But the sunshine's out, so we're out feeding the ducks," said Lay Leng Chan.
Nancy Wilkinson said, "I'd probably pay attention if I had a health problem, but I don't; or if I had asthma or something, but I don't."
Smoke from the California wildfires is contributing to our visibility problems. "The mountains are obscured by the wildfire smoke, but it really isn't the reason for the health advisories," said Bryce Bird, with the Utah Division of Air Quality.
Bird says the most harmful element to your lungs is ground ozone, which you can't see. It's ozone that is created when the sun hits the pollutants in the air.
Ground ozone is the strongest on days like today -- with strong sunlight, high temperatures and stagnant conditions.
To reduce your impact on the air, health officials say to drive less and use public transit. You can, of course, ride a bike or walk, but you have to be careful and know you're limit. At home, you can buy less toxic products and conserve energy.
This air isn't supposed to improve until Thursday.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
E-mail: tcallan@ksl.com
