University of Utah. (2019, September 12). ‘Fire inversions’ lock smoke in valleys. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 11, 2019 from  www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190912134354.htm 

There is currently a study being conducted in Utah on an atmospheric feedback loop that is that traps smoke in valleys. This is very similar to the way temperature inversions prevent smog and other pollutants from leaving the Salt Lake Valley in Utah each winter. This research can help scientists predict future issues with smoke in the valleys as a way to assist residents and firefighters. The current patrons of the project are the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASA. 

 

The problem began in 2015 when firefighters noticed that the smoke continued to build up in the valleys with no escape when fighting fires in northern California. The situation got so bad to the point where supporting flights had to be cancelled, slowing down the firefighting process.  Dr. Kochanski of the University of Utah and his colleagues began by observing the temperature above and below the smoke and found that the air above was warmer than the air below. They found out that what they were observing was an inversion, the reversal of air cooling with altitude. They knew that warm air rises, cold air sinks, and that the inversion puts a warm lid over a valley, trapping all the valley air below. The smoke strengthens the severity of the inversion. Although fires are still a threat, researchers can make more accurate smoke forecasts. I’m glad that this study was done because California has had several major problems with fires and the research will be able to lessen the intensity of future fires.