Western Fires Causing Air Quality Concerns

news image
Special Stories
3 Aug 2018 5:20 AM
Smoke from wildfires burning across the West stretches far from its sources, with smoke and haze reaching into Canada and well into the central United States. As smoke fills the sky from the intense wildfires burning across parts of the West, air quality alerts are being issued. The Ferguson Fire west of Yosemite National Park is producing dangerous air quality for parts central California, per the National Weather Service. And this is not only area being impacted by poor air quality due to fires. Much of southern Oregon is dealing with these concerns, with air quality alerts likely lingering as long as fires persist. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, as well as aggravate other serious health problems. For these reasons, people should limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. And smoke from these fires stretches far from it's sources, with smoke and haze reaching into Canada and well into the central United States. For WeatherNation, I am Meteorologist Marcus Walter.
All Weather News
More
Stifling Heat Slides East This Week

Stifling Heat Slides East This Week

A large area of high pressure continues to br

11 Aug 2026 10:25 AM
Series of Fronts Keeps the Midwest to Northeast Stormy

Series of Fronts Keeps the Midwest to Northeast Stormy

As a ridge of high pressure continues to domi

11 Aug 2026 10:25 AM
Multiple Disturbances in the Atlantic & Pacific

Multiple Disturbances in the Atlantic & Pacific

Aside from the two tropical storms that forme

11 Aug 2026 10:15 AM
Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

HIGH PLAINS - Severe storms rolled through th

11 Aug 2026 10:10 AM
What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

Get ready for one of the most spectacular dis

11 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
July 2026: Warmest Month on Record for Contiguous U.S.

July 2026: Warmest Month on Record for Contiguous U.S.

COURTESY: NCEI/NOAAJULY 2026 TEMPERATURE AND

10 Aug 2026 6:39 PM
One of the Best Meteor Showers of the Year Peaks Wednesday Night

One of the Best Meteor Showers of the Year Peaks Wednesday Night

After the solar eclipse happens Wednesday aft

10 Aug 2026 1:50 AM