From Canada to Europe: Wildfire smoke makes a 5,000-km journey across Atlantic
Air quality remains poor in parts of Canada as wildfire smoke travels along the jet stream — with Europe now in its path.
Not only is Canada choking on smoke, but Europe's skies are next.
A thick layer of wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of the country, particularly northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and beyond.
The smoke has resulted in days of poor air quality across the Prairies and Atlantic provinces.
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As smoke settled in and visibility decreased, southern Ontario experienced some of the world's worst air quality readings. Cities such as Toronto and Ottawa were under hazy skies, with air quality advisories in place.
Satellite imagery from August 3 and 4 revealed thick plumes moving from Alberta to the Great Lakes and beyond. Even though conditions have improved slightly in some areas, the lingering smoke remains a health concern.
A smoky ride across the Atlantic
The smoke from wildfires is now spreading across the globe.
The jet stream, a band of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere, is carrying smoke from Canada's fires across the Atlantic Ocean. It's a nearly 5,000-kilometre journey, with plumes expected to reach Western Europe by mid-week.
The smoke is flying at altitudes of around 30,000 feet, so it will not affect people on the ground for the time being. However, it may be visible in satellite images and will give skies across Europe a hazy tint in the coming days.
Canada's fire season isn't over yet
With hundreds of fires still burning across the country, smoke will continue to make headlines. Winds carry on to spread the haze eastward and new fires may fuel the plume.
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While the worst of the air quality remains in Canada for the time being, experts say it's a stark reminder of how far wildfire smoke can travel—and how interconnected the atmosphere truly is.