Thank goodness for the experts

If it wasn't for official reports, how would we ever figure out when the Central Valley air wasn't healthy?

Even if you just poked your head toward a grime-covered window today, you knew you were taking your health into your own hands by walking outside, as this past weekend's lightning storm has sparked hundreds of fires across the state.

And all that smoke has ended up in the valley — you couldn't ask for a more perfect smog trap. It's days like today that ensure the valley will probably never meet strict air pollution standards, no matter how hard we try.

(If you don't trust your lying eyes, this Web site has the daily air quality forecast.)