Since drought is commonly associated with large fire events, we investigated the relationship of large fire events to droughts over this 160 years period. Here, we place this and other recent years in a historical context by examining records of large fire events in the state back to 1860. “With no significant precipitation in sight, California remains dry and ripe for wildfires,” according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.California in the year 2020 experienced a record breaking number of large fires. In the Golden State, arid conditions are still expected in the near future. “On some of the larger fires, if we see a significant amount of rain in a short amount of time, we could see a period of increased smoke,” she said.

Heavy rain can actually worsen smoke, much as pouring water on a campfire causes evaporation that releases a billowing white cloud, Muessle said. “We even had people tweeting us photos of blue sky, which everyone was fawning over,” said Rebecca Muessle, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Portland.įorecasters say that a lower-pressure system moving in from the Pacific Ocean could bring rain showers, but more smoke could push north from California. The occasional hardy, or foolhardy, cyclist rode by.īut the region got some relief as winds turned westerly overnight Monday, pushing smoke east and producing occasional patches of clear sky Tuesday along the Oregon coast. “Instead, we’re all forced indoors.”ĭowntown Portland was virtually deserted Tuesday afternoon, as dirty air hung amid stores boarded up because of protests or the coronavirus. “This is Oregon’s prime season, when it’s normally sunny and in the 70s, and you want to be out enjoying summer,” said Harry Esteve, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality. As bad as that was, it had improved from the city’s all-time record of 477, set Sunday. Portland continued to have the worst air quality of any city in the world Tuesday afternoon, with an Air Quality Index of 273. “The smoke blanketing the state is a constant reminder that this tragedy has not yet come to an end.” “Without question, our state has been pushed to its limits,” Oregon Gov.

Thick, acrid smoke also hung over the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday from some of the largest wildfires in Oregon’s history and from blazes in Washington state, forcing many people indoors in a region known for clean air, clear water and environmental purity. A smoke advisory was in effect for a swath of Southern California through Tuesday afternoon, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and air quality remained unhealthful for much of the state - particularly its central and northern thirds. The effects have been most profound, however, along the West Coast. “Carbon monoxide plays a role in both air pollution and climate change.” “At the high altitude mapped in these images, the gas has little effect on the air we breathe however, strong winds can carry it downwards to where it can significantly impact air quality,” the statement continued.

Carbon monoxide “can persist in the atmosphere for about a month and can be transported great distances,” officials added.

California wildfires 2020 map