FROM THE ROAD: WILDFIRE SMOKE

Not only are the wildfires in Northern California destroying thousands of acres of trees and forcing people to flee rapidly traveling flames, they are also causing air pollution problems for people hundreds of miles away from the fire sources. The largest current fire, the Rim Fire, near Yosemite National Park, is blanketing areas over 100 miles away in Truckee, CA and Reno, NV with smoke that irritates eyes and nasal passages. The photo above was taken in Truckee where, on a clear day, you can see the Sierras rising in the distance. Today, not only could you not see the mountains, you couldn't even see the next street. By late afternoon the wind had cleared much of the smoke but the Rim Fire is only about five percent contained so it will be some time before many people will be able to get outdoors without discomfort.