Image ID: AHLE1596
Herb Lingl took this aerial photograph of wildfire smoke in the mountains of Humboldt County, California from an altitude of approximately 9,500′ above sea level on August 31, 2022. It is part of a series of aerial photographs documenting wildfires in California.
The volume of smoke being generated by this and other fires burning in the western portion of North America is massive. The smoke reaches high altitudes and spreads to distant locations. Wildfire smoke from West Coast wildfires has reached New York City and Washington, DC in recent years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Systems Laboratory created a striking animated graphic showing the spread of wildfire smoke. The New York Times published it in a 2021 article entitled See How Wildfire Smoke Spread Across America.
The smoke from the wildfire shown above is from the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire. It has already burned well over 30,000 acres.
Smoke is a particularly concerning wildfire hazard. It is certain to have widespread long term impacts on human health. Particulate matter, especially small particles (less than 2.5 microns in size) can be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs causing adverse heart and lung effects. While these shorter term impacts have received the most attention, there are now an increasing number of studies on the long term impacts on human health of wildfire smoke. The chemicals in wildfire smoke are correlated with an increase in the risk of all kinds of cancer. Among the other long term impacts of wildfire smoke identified by these studies are premature mortality, increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as mental health issues.
Image ID: AHLE1597
To view more aerial photography of California’s wildfires please visit:
Aerial Photography of California Wildfires
License Image ID: AHLE1596 shown above or purchase a print
License Image ID: AHLE1597 shown above or purchase a print
To view more aerial photography of Humboldt County, California, please visit:
Aerial Photographs of Humboldt County
