Smoke From Western Fires Reach Far to the East

It has been a very hot month in the interior Northwest. Temperatures east of the Cascades are running 8 to 10 degrees above normal so far in July. Some of the hottest weather of the year has occurred in the last 24 hours. This heat with little rain has created a high fire danger. Within the three-state area of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, there are 21 large fire incidents ongoing.

It’s also been very warm and dry in the Northwest Territories where currently 160 separate fires are burning. While mostly in remote areas, these fires are producing considerable smoke that has caused a health risk for people around the town of Yellowknife. Smoke extends as far east as Hudson Bay.

Between these two areas, there is quite the expansive area of smoke in the air. Below is a satellite analysis of areas covered by smoke. The thicker smoke is are the lighter yellow-green regions. Smoke extends as far east as the western Great Lakes.

Earlier this morning with a lower sun angle, one can see a lot of this smoke on the visible satellite picture. The smoke appears like a haze.

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