Wildfires burning across western Canada turned the skies orange and yellow over several provinces last weekend [1, 2].
The atmospheric phenomenon signals the massive scale of the current fire season, as smoke travels thousands of miles to impact air quality in distant urban centers.
Smoke from the extensive blazes was carried by wind, creating a distinct haze over British Columbia and other western regions [1, 3]. The discoloration was not limited to the immediate vicinity of the fires. The smoke traveled east, tinting the skies over Ontario and Toronto [2, 3].
Reports indicate that more than 100 wildfires are currently burning across Canada [3]. The intensity of these fires has allowed particulate matter to reach high altitudes, where wind currents transport the smoke across the continent.
While some reports described the haze over British Columbia as orange [1], other observers in eastern Canada described the sky over Toronto as yellow [3]. This variation in color often depends on the density of the smoke, and the angle of sunlight filtering through the particles.
The reach of the smoke has extended beyond Canadian borders, with haze visible as far as New York City [2]. This widespread distribution highlights the interconnected nature of North American air quality during peak wildfire activity.
“Smoke from more than 100 wildfires raging across western Canada turned the sky orange.”
The transport of smoke from western Canada to the East Coast and the U.S. demonstrates the ability of high-intensity wildfires to create regional atmospheric events. When smoke reaches the upper atmosphere, it can travel vast distances, affecting public health and visibility thousands of miles from the ignition source.
