From Oregon to NYC – Can We Breathe Anymore?

NASA’s eye-in-the-sky reveals unprecedented wildfire smoke blanketing the United States from coast to coast, raising serious concerns about deteriorating air quality and climate impacts.

At a Glance

• NASA satellite imagery shows wildfire smoke spreading from the West Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, with high concentrations of black carbon particulates detected across multiple states
• New York City recorded fine particulate pollution levels above 170 on the air quality index, the worst in over a decade
• 79 wildfires have burned over 2,263 square miles in the U.S., with the Bootleg Fire in Oregon being the largest at over 606 square miles
• Unlike typical wildfire smoke that stays at high altitudes when traveling long distances, current smoke remains below 1.2 miles, severely affecting visibility and air quality
• The wildfire season is intensifying, with Canada reporting 1,586 fires burning over a million hectares as of June 1 – nearly double the area burned by the same date last year

Satellite Technology Reveals Extensive Smoke Coverage

NASA’s advanced satellite technology has captured alarming images of wildfire smoke spreading across the entire United States. Using the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite, scientists have documented smoke drifting eastward from fires on the West Coast while fresh smoke plumes continue to rise over California and British Columbia. The comprehensive view from space provides critical data for tracking smoke movement and assessing environmental impacts that ground-based monitoring stations cannot match.

Additionally, NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) aboard the DSCOVR satellite has captured images from approximately one million miles from Earth. This unique vantage point, far more distant than typical polar orbiting satellites, offers a broader perspective of the smoke’s continental spread. The imagery shows smoke primarily originating from fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, extending across Nunavut toward Greenland and the United States, with some plumes reaching as far as the Atlantic Ocean near Europe.

Record-Breaking Air Quality Impacts

The spread of wildfire smoke has led to severe air quality deterioration across the United States. New York City experienced fine particulate pollution levels above 170 on the air quality index, creating hazardous conditions for residents. Multiple states have issued air quality advisories, with Minnesota authorities describing conditions as “hazardous for everyone” and Michigan warning that “conditions may be unhealthy for sensitive groups and there is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the unhealthy range.”

What makes this smoke event particularly concerning is that the particulates are remaining at lower altitudes than typical for long-distance smoke travel. While smoke traveling long distances usually stays above 1.2 miles in altitude, current smoke remains below this threshold, directly affecting ground-level air quality and visibility. The jet stream has carried smoke particles as far south as northern Florida, creating widespread health concerns for vulnerable populations.

Wildfires Growing in Scale and Intensity

The current wildfire situation has reached alarming proportions. In the United States alone, 79 wildfires have burned over 2,263 square miles, requiring the deployment of more than 21,700 firefighters. The Bootleg Fire in Oregon stands as the largest, having consumed over 606 square miles of land. The situation in Canada is equally dire, with over 180 wildfires reported, forcing the evacuation of more than 25,000 residents across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Climate data indicates a troubling trend. June was recorded as the hottest month on record in the United States and the fourth hottest globally. The combination of drought conditions and extreme heat has created ideal conditions for fire ignition and rapid spread. The Canadian wildfire season, which typically runs from late April to August, has already seen 1,586 fires burning over a million hectares as of June 1 – a significant increase from the less than half-million hectares burned by the same date last year. This escalation points to a concerning pattern of intensifying wildfire seasons as climate conditions continue to change.