Where There's Fire, There's Smoke

So far this year, fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres in California. Thanks to the state’s four-years-and-counting drought, those flames are spreading fast and far. But what travels even faster are the billows of smoke from those fires—which means a fire’s impact extends far beyond its perimeter.

According to the feds, an average human can breathe in about 35 micrograms of 2.5µm particulates over 24 hours before health problems set in. The state’s air quality board monitors those levels statewide, and some of the highest—currently between 10 and 34 micrograms per day—are registering hundreds of miles away from the huge Valley, Butte, and Rough fires.

Beyond the fire season, California might get some much needed rain from this year’s strong El Niño. Then again, it might not. Either way, Californians probably won’t be breathing easy for a long time.

http://www.wired.com/2015/09/californias-fire-problem-becoming-smoke-problem/