The Fire and Rain and Smoke Thread

I don't remember fires and smoke from Canada being such a big thing years ago. (I do remember stories about fires in the US).

Am I imagining that it has changed or has it actually changed?

If it has changed are there known reasons for it?

AQI in Adk looks bad today, may delay going up tomorrow. I wish I could get a forecast beyond a few days.
 
I don't remember fires and smoke from Canada being such a big thing years ago. (I do remember stories about fires in the US).

Am I imagining that it has changed or has it actually changed?
These are the same people that tell you not to drive cause it might snow.
If it has changed are there known reasons for it?

AQI in Adk looks bad today, may delay going up tomorrow.
 
I don't remember fires and smoke from Canada being such a big thing years ago. (I do remember stories about fires in the US).

Am I imagining that it has changed or has it actually changed?

If it has changed are there known reasons for it?

AQI in Adk looks bad today, may delay going up tomorrow. I wish I could get a forecast beyond a few days.
I was just talking about this with a buddy yesterday. I don't know if this is new or are we just now paying attention to it.
Dunno
 
Back in the late 70s/early 80s, I guided canoe trips in Quetico Provincial Park, just across the border from Minnesota and the BWCA. One July there was firesmoke so thick that it reduced the sun to a pale orange disk in the sky for a couple of weeks. News travelled slowly back then but we eventually found out that the smoke was from fires in northern Alberta.

So, yes to Camp's point about us paying more attention to but I also believe that there are more and bigger fires nowadays.
 
In the Tri-Lakes, it's been hazy. I haven't had any issues myself. If one has asthma or other pulmonary disorders, it might be a different story.
 
Yep, more wildfires in western N. America are big enough to create so much smoke that it's noticeable in many regions far to the east.

June 5, 2025

I have friends who live in southern Oregon. Fair to say that people who live there aren't surprised to be dealing with smoke all summer after the first wildfires start in the spring. Meaning enough smoke that it's clearly visible to the naked eye. Wasn't the case when my classmate from North Country School and his brothers settled in the PacNW over 30 years ago. They grew up in northern VA. I have clear memories of driving up from San Francisco with my daughter about 15 years ago. We went through more than one area with active fire fighting. Could hardly see the town from his house up on a hillside.

May 2023
Excerpt from Introduction:
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Uncle worked investigating forest fires for the USFS where the smokejumpers are based in Missoula.
Used to go trout fishing with him on the Flathead Rez. I will always remember when a pickup stopped on the road coming the other way on the way up a dusty dirt road going up into the mountains to fish. After a pleasant exchange of weather, fishin..., small talk, the driver said, “Ya made be a big shot in Missoula but here on the rez ya ain’t shit.” Then he took off. I believe it was said for my entertainment.
 
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