Senators: Heavy Wildfire Smoke Frequent Problem In West

(Washington, DC) — The heavy wildfire smoke blanketing much of the East Coast this week is bringing attention to a common problem in the West. That’s what several senators from western states, including Utah’s Mike Lee, said yesterday during a Congressional hearing on the federal response to the increasing threat of wildfires. The Republican Lee said dealing with high levels of smoke is an unfortunate recurring reality in his state, showing a picture of downtown Salt Lake City covered in a layer of smoke to the panel. Lee added fires in the West don’t normally get the same attention as those in the East do, despite the regularity of fires in California, Arizona and other states.