ST. GEORGE — Weather forecasters are sending out alerts to those with health ailments in several Southern Utah communities to remain indoors if experiencing breathing problems related to smoke in the air.
Due to wildfires burning in Beaver, Piute and Kane counties, residents in the communities in between may have noticed a haze in the sky reminiscent of a dust trail.
According to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, breathing smoke produced by burning trees, sagebrush and other plants in heavy concentrations can be harmful to certain residents.
“Smoke from wildfires could cause high concentrations of particulates in populated areas,” the Utah Department of Environmental Quality website states. “If smoke becomes thick, persons with existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity.”
The US Air Quality Index for Beaver residents is currently listed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” registering an AQI of 139 on Tuesday.
St. George currently has an AQI of 77, which could still affect those with respiratory ailments.
“Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects,” according to The Weather Channel. “The general public is not likely to be affected.”
The US Air Quality Index website states that communities with an AQI between the 50-100 are considered in the moderate range of air pollutants.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution states that particulate matter measuring in the ranges of 0 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter is considered “Good,” between 9.1 and 34.4 considered “Moderate,” and between 35.5- and 55 “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality website states that currently Washington County residents are experiencing air quality with 9.5 micrograms of particulate matter floating around in each cubic meter.
Iron County residents are registering at 10.6 while those near Kanab 11.6 micrograms per cubic meter.
Garfield and Beaver County residents are facing the highest concentrations of particulate matter in the Southern Utah communities, at 16.5 and 16.3 micrograms per cubic meter readings on Tuesday.
Utah’s air quality officials said that those with medical conditions could notice increased coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat and difficulty breathing from the wildfire that created the fine particles floating in the air.
Besides reducing physical activity outdoors, Utah’s environmental quality officials encourage residents to download the free UtahAir app, available on both iPhone and Android, for air-quality forecasts and current conditions.
Other recommendations provided by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality include:
- Have enough food and medication on hand to last several days to avoid going out for supplies. If you must leave the house, avoid the smokiest times of the day.
- Close the windows and vents and run the air conditioner in recirculate mode to reduce smoke inside of the vehicle.
- Do not rely on dust masks from the hardware store or bandanas for protection from smoke. If you must be out in smoky conditions, an N95 respirator can protect if worn properly.
- Avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves, or even candles.
- Don’t vacuum, since it stirs up particles already inside homes.
- Follow doctor’s recommendations regarding current medication and asthma management plans. Call your doctor if symptoms worsen.
Wind and fire
Hayden Mahan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, told St. George News a good portion of the smoke in lower Washington County should clear out by Wednesday.
“Most of the wind that we are going to be dealing with is going to be blowing to the south and southeast,” he said.
Mahan said the direction of the wind blowing smoke from the three major wildfires in Southern Utah should remain the same until possible monsoon storms towards the latter part of the weekend. Until then, more heat is expected beginning on Thursday, July 11.
“I mean we’re talking temperatures above 110 degrees, really through Saturday evening,” he said.
Click here to view the National Weather Service air quality map.
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