Wondering about the smoke-red sunset?

Our phone photo doesn’t do it full justice but that was an unmistakably smoke-red sunset just moments ago. We noticed the haze about an hour earlier, as the early evening sunlight was tinted that telltale yellow. Current air-quality readings are not suggesting trouble but there are definitely wildfires both to the north in B.C. and over in Eastern Washington. (added 9:08 pm) The National Weather Service‘s just-posted forecast-discussion update describes it as “some light upper level haze from area fires” and says “stronger westerly winds aloft” will push it away tomorrow.

10 Replies to "Wondering about the smoke-red sunset?"

  • Kersti Muul July 21, 2024 (9:10 pm)

    I knew this Morning at 630 AM as the sun rose above Elliot Bay that it was a ‘smoke sun’..was like that all day, casting the shadows and having the slightly dark appearance.Took this picture after bird survey, around 10ish AM from the parking lot at Lincoln 

    • Kim July 22, 2024 (6:54 am)

      What a beautiful yet eery photo. Telling!

  • Christopher B. July 21, 2024 (9:36 pm)

    Was looking around for info about this earlier but couldn’t find anything. Once again, WSB for the win.

  • brizone July 21, 2024 (9:36 pm)

    Lots of vertically-integrated smoke over the entire continent right now.  

    • brizone July 21, 2024 (9:46 pm)

      Also, this is the site to pull up the latest mapping yourself (surface smoke also available): https://apps.gsl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html

      • Nadmiral July 23, 2024 (9:13 am)

        Wow ! Thanks for the photo and link. Definitely useful.  Reminder to everyone.: ALL  smoke is toxic. According to the EPA: wood smoke is 12 times more toxic than a cigarette. So please consider your impact on your neighbors when you are generating smoke.  

  • D-Mom July 22, 2024 (6:17 am)

    Yes I was wondering about that. Thank you for answering my question before having to do my own research. 

  • Desiree July 22, 2024 (7:14 am)

    And there is the fire outside of Darrington 

    • Camper July 22, 2024 (6:42 pm)

      We were backpacking out there Wednesday night and got caught in a crazy thunderstorm.  The lightening caused a bunch of fires all around us, I think it’s called the miners complex fires.  500 acres so far

  • Jeff July 22, 2024 (9:24 am)

    Smoke season is here early folks. Remember to vote for climate-forward politicians this november. 

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