Midwestern Air Quality Drops as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Moves South

Midwestern states are facing an onslaught of smoke from Canadian wildfires, experiencing the same phenomenon that eastern states endured earlier this month. 

Residents of Chicago experienced the worst air quality in the world as 488 wildfires send their smoke into the US, 259 of which are deemed as ‘out of control’ by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Other local and state authorities have issued advisories on the hazardous air conditions, advising residents to stay indoors.

Wildfires Rage in Australia

Australia’s wildfire season has been exacerbated by intense heat and
abnormally dry conditions

Credit: eyeweed/flickr

Massive wildfires have threatened thousands of acres of Australian brushland and hundreds of homes as winds and dry conditions fan the flames forward. In one seaside city, thousands of residents and tourists took refuge on the beach or even on boats as wildfires approached the city. At least 12 so far have died in this year’s wildfire season.

This year has been the driest on record for the continent, with high, gusty winds and sweltering summer heat exacerbating the problem.

Most of the country is under a firework ban this New Year’s, though the city of Sydney has been exempted to allow for its massive firework display along the shore.

Fires Continue to Burn Thousands of Acres in California

Strong winds and abundance vegetation has continued to fuel wildfires throughout California. One fire threatened the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which was saved by a change in wind direction and the efforts of some goats, which ate the vegetation around the property and created a fire perimeter.

Other fires have broken out in San Bernardino County and across Southern California, promoting massive evacuations and burning dozens of homes. Other fires in Northern California, including one believed to have been started by an arsonist (put out soon after it began), have threatened homes and property there as well. The largest of those fires, the Kincade Fire, has burned nearly 80,000 acres.

Massive power-shutoffs by California’s main electrical utility, PG&E, were started earlier this month to prevent wildfires. Old, damaged lines can spark wildfires when they fail, sometimes with destructive consequences such as in the 2018 Camp Fire, which led to at least 85 deaths and $16.5 billion in damage. The shutdowns have not been without controversy,  however, as the shutdowns have lefts millions without power periodically and caused massive disruption to those affected.

PG&E, still facing billions in liability claims from the Camp Fire and other outbreaks, is planning on replacing many of those lines going forward.