Smokey Mountain Valley

Wildfire smoke often settles into the Centennial Mountain Valley from fires near and far and provides spectacular views of the sun through a natural filter at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. The downside is that wildfire smoke often becomes trapped in the valley for extended periods of time through an inversion layer usually starting intermittently in late summer and lasting through early October. During this time, air quality is very poor and can be detrimental to breathing and subsequent health. Photo by Cortez Rohr/USFWS