Short Wave The Science Of Wildfire Smoke
Aug 27, 2020
Jessica Gilman, an atmospheric chemist from NOAA, dives into the world of wildfire smoke and its surprising journey. She explains how smoke from California fires can travel all the way to Minnesota, impacting air quality and public health. Discover the components of smoke and the health risks posed by tiny particulate matter. Gilman also discusses the intricate relationship between wildfire smoke and climate change, highlighting how rising temperatures lead to more wildfires, creating a challenging feedback loop that calls for urgent climate action.
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Smoke Composition
- Wildfire smoke is a complex mix of gases and particles, ranging from large ash to tiny PM2.5.
- These PM2.5 particles are 50 times smaller than a grain of salt and can travel deep into lungs.
Smoke Behavior
- Wildfire smoke behavior is affected by atmospheric layers, especially the boundary layer's thickness.
- At night, cooler temperatures shrink this layer, trapping more smoke near the ground.
Nighttime Ventilation
- Avoid opening windows at night in wildfire-prone areas, even if it's cooler.
- Smoke settles closer to the ground at night, increasing exposure while sleeping.