Wildfires race across the West: Smoke poses health hazard to millions; unprecedented pollution in OR

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Unprecedented levels of pollution were recorded Saturday in Oregon as tens-of-thousands of firefighters continue to battle deadly wildfires in the western U.S.

Ninety-seven large fires have burned more than 6,200 square miles across the western states, and evacuation orders were in place for 40 large fires in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho and Utah, the National Interagency Fire Center said Saturday. Some evacuees have fled with just the clothes on their backs.

Smoke from the blazes has impacted the entire West Coast, posing a health hazard to millions. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality said the entire state was reporting unhealthy or hazardous air Saturday morning.

Readings in Portland were the worst recorded since the department started monitoring there in 1985. There, the smoke filled the air with an acrid metallic scent like dull pennies.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wildfires-race-across-the-west-smoke-poses-health-hazard-to-millions-unprecedented-pollution-in-oregon/ar-BB18XDMB?li=BBnb7Kz

[Hugin]

1. Even though I am hundreds of miles from the fires...

Earlier this week the smoke here was so thick the diffraction of the sunlight passing through the smoke and then the window glass was causing the optical illusion of multiple Suns.

Very odd. First time I have ever seen anything like that except once when I was riding a bus into an area thick with smoke from coal smelters in the early '80s.

[Farmgirl1961]

2. I live in Central Oregon. We are about 30 miles from the closest blaze. The air is so toxic here.

Central Oregon is known for its 300+ days of sunshine each year. High desert, crystal clear skies, perhaps some of the cleanest air on the globe. We've been pegging out with readings of over 500 since early Friday morning. I've never seen or smelled anything like it. I'm wearing a face buff under my N95 mask when I go outside to tend to my chickens and have the liberty and luxury of limiting my outdoor activity. Still it's eerie, spooky, scary and I weep for the devastation in Oregon, Washington, California and elsewhere.

[Hugin]

3. I'm am so saddened this is happening.

Please, do what you can to stay safe.

[lettucebe]

4. This smoke is insane. I live in Vancouver, WA just across from Portland, OR

My son lives in Lake Stevens, WA, just north of Seattle. We both have ridiculous smoke, so it's the entire West Coast and marching inward. If you are outdoors for any length of time, you'll smell of smoke