What Makes Smoke Forecasts So Hard to Predict — and How Tech Could Help

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For reasons seemingly as numerous as current air pollution readings, guessing at how wildfire smoke will behave is tricky business. Crystal Raymond is quoted in this article from GeekWire. 

“Studies of climate change effects on wildfire show that with continued warming and drier summers, we expect to see more acreage burned and more large wildfires throughout the western US,” Crystal said. “And where there is fire, there is smoke.” 

Climate Change Front of Mind as Cloud of Smoke Chokes Washington Again

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Fires and smoke are sometimes called the “new normal” of climate change in the Northwest. But some hope these events will be yet another wake-up call. Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover is quoted.

“It’s terrifying to see what’s happening,” Snover said. “It’s upsetting to see what’s happening. And the worst of it is, it’s only going to get worse until we decide we don’t want it to get worse anymore, and reduce and eliminate greenhouse emissions.”

Multiple Wildfires Devastate Large Swaths Of Areas In Eastern Washington

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In Washington state, fires burned more land in a day than they normally burn in entire fire seasons. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, discussed the connection between climate change and wildfire for National Public Radio.

“Basically, climate change is loading the dice” when it comes to wildfire risk, Crystal says. “And then you get a wind event, and things are just ready to go.”