Smoke From US and Canadian Wildfires Spotted Across the World

While thousands of firefighters battle the US and Canadian blazes daily, some European countries have caught a literal whiff of the chaos.

A Time for Burning 

Wildfires in the US are not uncommon. In fact, they even have their own “season”, starting from the date of the first big wildfire until the last large one is under control. 

And in the American West, wildfire season usually spans from summer to fall.

A Tad Early This Year 

However, since the 1970s, the western states’ wildfire season has been increasing from 5 months to more than 7. 

And while it’s still relatively early for this year’s wildfire season, 2024 has already seen some major blazes across the North American continent – with some even saying this year could be record-breaking. 

Up in Flames 

Take Oregon, for example. Usually, September is when the state is in its peak fire season due to the east winds, which can produce large-scale fires. 

Well, thus far, almost 1.5 million acres of land have been scorched up – more fires than in any other year, with lightning strikes being one of the main instigators. 

Where’s There’s Smoke 

Currently, the US is battling almost 70 large-scale wildfires, with Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and California being the proverbial hot spots, as stated by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). 

Best Avoid California 

And while California had a moderately calm year in 2023, this year’s fire season kicked off early and dramatically, with last month’s Park Fire becoming not only the fastest-growing wildfire in the state, but also the fourth largest. 

More Help Needed 

You’d be correct in thinking that all these blazes are putting immense strain on firefighting resources. It’s become so bad that states had to request backup from places as distant as Hawaii and even New Zealand. 

Speaking of the Park Fire, over 5,000 personnel are still fighting it.

A Rough Year 

According to an Oregon Department of Forestry’s Public Affairs Officer, Jessica Neujahr, 9,300 firefighters were active in Oregon alone. 

“This season has been exceptionally difficult, especially because it started earlier than normal,” she said. “These conditions we saw in July are conditions we would normally see in August.”

Moving Across the Pond 

So large and uncontainable have the wildfires in the US and Canada become that the smoke has even started affecting European countries, bringing hazy skies and sunsets all the way across the Atlantic. 

Canada’s Fires 

Looking at a map of North America’s fire locations during August, the biggest impacts appear to be in Canada’s northwest territories. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have all experienced exceptional wildfires this year. 

Also a Problem 

And like the US, the intensity and smoke discharges from Canada’s wildfires have also been growing stronger, with British Columbia and Alberta being the most active during July. 

Faster Than You’d Think 

The smoke from Canada’s fires took only a little over a week to cross the North Atlantic, leading to elevated aerosol optical depth values (AOD > 1) as shown in the CAMS forecast.

AOD (high aerosol optical depth) is the measuring of particulate matter and aerosols like desert dust and smoke particles that are dispersed throughout an air column extending from the ground to the upper atmosphere. 

Impacting Europe… 

According to the CAMS analyses (which merge the model with the most recent satellite observations), a substantial amount of smoke traveled across Canada and the North Atlantic from August 10th to the 19th.

… and Beyond? 

High AOD levels were found to have reached Ireland and the UK and are still moving further on to France and Scandinavia. 

Of course, this is understandable once we consider the number of wildfires that have sprung up across North America this year.

Firefighters Under Pressure 

Dan Mallia is the superintendent of the Redding Hotshots, a team of specialized firefighters forming part of the US Forest Service who are responsible for combatting wildfires. 

While he and his hotshot team were battling the Willamette Complex fires in Oregon, Mallia stated: “We have just been doing back-to-back assignments. It’s been busy. It’s been challenging.”  

Physically (And Mentally) Draining 

The Redding Hotshots were fighting California’s Park Fire for multiple days before moving up to Oregon, where they’ve been for almost two weeks trying to limit the spread of the blaze. 

A typical workday for them is almost 12 hours of physically rigorous activity. 

Wildfires Affecting Climate Change 

Abdulhameed Fakoya is a Nigerian Doctoral student at the University of Oklahoma. 

Fakoya has been at the forefront of research regarding the longstanding development of atmospheric particles resulting from wildfires and bush burning, as well as their impact on climate and agricultural productivity, particularly in Africa. 

But How? 

According to Fakoya, there are a variety of ways in which wildfires influence the climate. For example, cloud evaporation can not only postpone rainfall, but also alter precipitation patterns within a specific area. 

It’s in the Science 

Explaining his findings, Fakoya states: “These processes alter the precipitation cycle, accelerate desertification and can lead to extended drought periods, thereby posing severe threats to agriculture and the economy of most countries…”

Talk About Timing 

He also added: “Moreover, the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of fire events globally due to climate change presents an urgency to this research.”

Not Over Yet 

Referring to him and his crew’s busy schedule hopefully coming to an end soon, Mallia says: “We’re about halfway through our season and it’s real busy and [we’re] getting the crew in that mental and physical mindset that we still have three months to go.”

DeSantis in More Hot Water as Florida Floods, Again

Florida residents are struggling this hurricane season, and many are pointing the finger at a certain Governor. DeSantis in More Hot Water as Florida Floods, Again

J.C. Penney’s Closures Signal the End of an Era in Retail

Popular department store, J.C. Penney, has announced the closure of multiple stores across the country. This announcement reflects changes in the retail industry as online shopping becomes more popular. But how will these changes affect consumers and the future of in-store shopping? J.C. Penney’s Closures Signal the End of an Era in Retail

Michigan’s Governor Whitmer Lays Down the Law for HOAs

Gretchen Whitmer has just taken on HOAs across Michigan. Who won? Michigan’s Governor Whitmer Lays Down the Law for HOAs

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / thmphotographs.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.