It’s the worst year since 2006.
The current summer is overwhelmed by continuous smoke, and there is no indication of it subsiding. Recent research conducted by Stanford University reveals that Canadian wildfires have caused an unprecedented level of smoke exposure in U.S. cities, making this season the worst in recent memory.
According to Marshall Burke, an associate professor at Stanford, this year is particularly notable because the usual wildfire season hasn’t even begun yet! The haze events in June served as a wake-up call to communities ill-prepared for wildfire smoke, leading to flight delays, cancellation of outdoor events, such as baseball games, and an increase in hospital visits due to conditions like asthma. However, experts in wildfires predict that these events are just the beginning, as Canada’s fires are expected to emit smoke throughout the entire summer. Moreover, conditions are ripe for wildfires in certain areas of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest and the upper Midwest.
As of Wednesday, July 12th morning, Canada has reported approximately 880 active fires, with more than half considered “out of control” by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Long-term forecasts indicate that a significant portion of the country will face above-average fire risk until September. It is anticipated that many of the largest fires will continue to burn throughout the summer and occasionally result in the southward movement of smoke due to shifts in atmospheric patterns.
