Wildfire smoke doesn’t respect state lines. Smoke from a fire in the Sierra can shut down flights in Seattle.
That happened during recent brutal fire seasons in the West – smoke from blazes stretching from California to British Columbia delayed air traffic hundreds of miles away and triggered health warnings for healthy adults to stay indoors. The fires themselves are only half the story. The people who never see the flames, who live downwind and breathe the aftermath, carry part of the cost too.
If you’re planning a trip during fire season, check air quality along with the weather. Smoke can ruin a hike from fifty miles away.
More info: USDA Forest Service (fs.usda.gov)