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West Coast Braces for Wildfire Smoke Invasion
4 Aug
Summary
- Wildfire smoke from over 2 million acres burning in the Northwest is moving south.
- Air quality in Northern California may reach unhealthy levels this week.
- Odorless smoke can be more dangerous, posing a false sense of security.
Northern California is bracing for hazy skies this week as smoke from extensive wildfires in the Northwest drifts south. Over 2 million acres are currently burning in Oregon and Washington, with some blazes exhibiting extreme fire behavior. While lighter haze was observed on Sunday, heavier, surface-level smoke is anticipated by Tuesday.
This smoke is expected to reach the Bay Area as early as Tuesday afternoon, driven by a shift in northerly and easterly winds. Air quality in the region could deteriorate into the moderate category, potentially reaching unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. Other areas like Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Valley may also experience hazy conditions.
Notably, this smoke might lack the typical campfire scent due to atmospheric chemical reactions that alter smoke particles, making them more toxic while removing the smell. This odorless phenomenon can be particularly dangerous, potentially leading to a false sense of security regarding public health risks associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
