Wildfire smoke from US crosses the Atlantic Ocean; seen in parts of Finland, UK

A raging pandemic along side apparent changes in climate may sound like a deadly combo, but it’s our contemporary reality.

While wildfires ravaged parts of Oregon, California, and Washington in the United States, its effects are now being felt across the pond. The wildfires in the US have worsened air quality and evacuated thousands of people.

Europe eclipsed

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the impact of these fires is now being felt across the Atlantic Ocean, ranging as far as Finland. 

On Monday, the organisation shared a map showing particulate matter from the wildfires eclipsing the southern areas of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, along with some parts of the United Kingdom.

The fires had eclipsed the United States last week, hazing cities, and making air quality unfit for humans.

Even though the particulate matter may not be felt by people on the ground, its gradual impact on the air quality will be evident.

NASA had shown projections last week about particulate matter from the wildfire smoke affecting almost every state in the US.

Also read: Firefighters in US northwest aided by weather, as winds drive California blaze

San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland witnessed improvement in air quality in recent days, with weather patterns flushing the wildfire smoke to the east. 

Earlier, millions were exposed to unhealthy air after fires fuelled by lightning wreaked havoc in August. The damage was doubled due to the fires that followed in Washington and Oregon. 

California’s “Bobcat Fire” is currently the most active fire scene in the US. It has toasted 165 square miles. This makes it one the largest fires ever in Los Angeles County.

Just this year alone, California has witnessed some of its largest wildfires ever!