HEALTH

Fewer days with unhealthy air in Utah thanks to monsoon moisture

Aug 31, 2022, 11:36 AM

This Monday, June 13, 2022, photo provided by Krissie Maxwell shows smoke from a wildfire on the ou...

This Monday, June 13, 2022, photo provided by Krissie Maxwell shows smoke from a wildfire on the outskirts of Flagstaff, Ariz. swirling in the air. (Krissie Maxwell via AP)

(Krissie Maxwell via AP)

SALT LAKE CITY — While Utah has seen an unprecedented amount of triple-digit days this summer, one thing that tends to go along with the heat has been missing — wildfires. And that has resulted in less smoke, and in some cases, less unhealthy air across Utah. 

The monsoon rains are at least partly to thank for the better air, as the systems that accompany the storms have prevented smoke from California and other western fires from lingering in Utah. 

The Utah Division of Air Quality reports that only 15 days this summer have been really unhealthy this year compared to 40 last summer.

The poor air quality we have had is mainly attributed to Ozone pollution. 

Elizabeth Weiler contributed to this article.

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Fewer days with unhealthy air in Utah thanks to monsoon moisture