2021 California wildfires exposed lakes to 116,000 sq miles more smoke since 2006, averaging 33 high-density smoke days, raising concerns about ecosystem health.
2020-2021 saw California wildfires shrouding 70% of the state, with wildfire activity increasing fivefold since the 1970s. A study from UC Davis combined lake-based sensors and satellite imagery to reveal that maximum smoke cover has expanded by 116,000 square miles since 2006, exposing lakes to an average of 33 high-density smoke days between July and October. The study highlights the need for more research to understand the implications of this scale, scope, and intensity of wildfires on lake ecosystems, as the smoke is now considered an ongoing concern for ecosystem health.
May 22, 2024
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