This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Today's front-page humor: It's OK to Burn, But Not to Breathe. (Tribune, Air Quality Today, Nov. 11)
The Trib's new air quality index and action alert section is in operation, posted just above the daily weather forecast. Great.
Thanks for giving us a heads up to make prudent decisions! So, what's up for today? "Air quality is moderate ... Highly sensitive groups should reduce outdoor exertion." The forecast is for "hazy [a.k.a. smoggy] sunshine." And the air action alert: "Unrestricted wood-burning OK."
So: We can watch the haze build as we contribute more wood smoke that threatens our at-risk neighbors. And, that's "OK." Wow!
Someone at the Division of Air Quality has a warped sense of humor. Perhaps the Air Quality Today section should be formatted as a Bagley cartoon.
Stanley T. Holmes
Salt Lake City