Smoke from the West Coast wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington has now travelled to the East Coast and all the way to Europe. Smoke was reported being as far away as the Netherland and Hamburg, Germany, while it also caused a temperature decrease due to the sun being obscured in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Additionally, the wildfires are creating massive amounts of pollution, spewing carbon monoxide levels that are over 10 times the normal amount. Not only can carbon monoxide last for months in the air, but it can also descend from the jet stream and significantly affect air quality in regions where it reaches ground level. This level of carbon monoxide will also have an effect on climate change, as it is one of the main greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, there is little hope for now, as arid conditions are forecasted for the future, potentially followed by a heavy rain that will only make the smoke worse.
By Claire Mikulcik
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