Wildfire smoke from fires burning across Utah and the West settled over Sandy and the Wasatch Front on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, turning skies hazy and pushing fine particulate levels into ranges that health experts say pose serious risks for children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions.
The National Weather Service forecast for the Salt Lake Valley, including Sandy, called for "patchy smoke" both days alongside temperatures around 100–103°F, according to KSL Weather.
John Lin, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Utah and scientific director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, told Fox 13 the particles residents are breathing are known as PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, produced when vegetation burns.
"Salt Lake is often known as the crossroads of the West. Unfortunately, we're the crossroads of the smoky West right now," Lin said.
The most common health effects include respiratory illness, breathing problems, and cardiovascular issues. Lin called the recurring smoke events "the new normal" and urged residents to limit time outdoors when conditions are poor.
What Sandy residents should do
Health experts recommend reducing prolonged outdoor activity when smoke is visible, especially for young children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart disease. Residents can check real-time air quality readings at AirNow.gov and monitor NWS alerts for smoke advisories.
Anyone planning time at Dimple Dell Regional Park, the Sandy Amphitheater, or other outdoor venues should check conditions before heading out. The Dimple Dell Recreation Center at 10670 South 1000 East was open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with its Salt Lake County cool zone designation running from 3 to 8 p.m.
Fires fueling the smoke
Firefighters battled several major wildfires across Utah over the Aug. 1–2 weekend, including the Johnson Canyon Fire near Tremonton, the Canyon Road Fire near Logan, the Black Canyon Fire near Ephraim, and the Widemouth 2 Fire in Millard County.
Conditions were worst in central and eastern Utah. Centerfield resident Jolyn Chappell described waking up Saturday to what she called an umbrella of smoke from horizon to horizon, the sun appearing pink. In Gunnison, ash coated vehicles. In Emery County, mountain ranges were nearly invisible.
Sandy's own fire crew is stretched thin. The Sandy City Fire Department deployed a crew along with two Utah strike teams to Oregon in late July to help battle fires there. Oregon ranked No. 1 on the national priority list for firefighting resources, with crews across Washington and Oregon battling 45 large fires that had burned more than 1.8 million acres as of late July.
What's ahead
No official forecast pinpoints when smoke will fully clear the valley. KSL Weather's outlook called for continued patchy smoke through Sunday, Aug. 2, with temperatures easing slightly into the low 100s. Residents should continue monitoring AirNow.gov for daily PM2.5 updates.
