The wildfire smoke has come and gone this fall but when should one worry about the exposure. Ute Tribe Emergency Management has shared information about who is at risk and what to do. First, if visibility is less than 5 miles where you are at then smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. “Wildfire smoke is a complex mix of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into your lungs. They can cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes and a runny nose to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases. The best thing to do is limit your exposure to smoke.” If you can see smoke in the sky, be sure to keep indoor air as clean as possible, drink plenty of water, reduce the amount of time spent outdoors, and pay attention to local air quality reports.
