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Forest fires cause smoke plume, emit tons of carbon

By VDC staff

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and the western United States is creating hazy skies across Vermont today, giving the sun a reddish appearance.

According to wildfiretrackers.com, the largest contributor to Vermont’s hazy, smoky plume remains the dozens of active wildfires in Canada, where 34 fires are burning across nearly 24,812 acres. Upper-level winds are carrying smoke south into New England, reducing air clarity across much of the state.

New fires also broke out Tuesday, July 14, in California. According to Wildfiretrackers.com, six separate wildfires ignited during the day. The largest, the Chowchilla Fire, has burned about 120 acres — roughly the size of 92 football fields. Other new California fires include the Kearney Fire (41 acres), Collier Fire (16 acres), Zebra Fire (25 acres), Wilson Fire (20 acres), and North Fire (25 acres).

While the smoke is primarily affecting visibility and producing colorful sunrises and sunsets in Vermont, air quality can fluctuate as smoke concentrations change. People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality conditions and limit prolonged outdoor activity if smoke levels increase.

The destruction of an acre of forest by fire can release approximately 2.5 to 5 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, sources say. This amount can vary based on the type of forest and the severity of the fire.

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Forest fires cause smoke plume, emit tons of carbon

By VDC staff

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and the western United States is creating hazy skies across Vermont today, giving the sun a reddish appearance.

According to wildfiretrackers.com, the largest contributor to Vermont’s hazy, smoky plume remains the dozens of active wildfires in Canada, where 34 fires are burning across nearly 24,812 acres. Upper-level winds are carrying smoke south into New England, reducing air clarity across much of the state.

New fires also broke out Tuesday, July 14, in California. According to Wildfiretrackers.com, six separate wildfires ignited during the day. The largest, the Chowchilla Fire, has burned about 120 acres — roughly the size of 92 football fields. Other new California fires include the Kearney Fire (41 acres), Collier Fire (16 acres), Zebra Fire (25 acres), Wilson Fire (20 acres), and North Fire (25 acres).

While the smoke is primarily affecting visibility and producing colorful sunrises and sunsets in Vermont, air quality can fluctuate as smoke concentrations change. People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality conditions and limit prolonged outdoor activity if smoke levels increase.

The destruction of an acre of forest by fire can release approximately 2.5 to 5 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, sources say. This amount can vary based on the type of forest and the severity of the fire.