Who should we blame for our smoky skies?

Smoke is lingering along the Emerald Coast today. And while you might think that it’s from one of the many wildfires currently plaguing Northern California and Oregon, there’s only one place to blame for these smoky skies.

Eureka’s National Weather Service office reports that an increasing amount of wildfire smoke from Canada has concentrated along Humboldt’s coastline.

“This smoke originated from wildfires in Canada and has slowly been moving down the U.S. coast,” the NWS wrote on Facebook.

A model of Canadian smoke moving through Northern California today.

The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District reports that Humboldt’s inland areas, however, will continue to see smoky conditions as a result of the Northern California and Oregon wildfires. 

“Orleans and Hoopa may experience extended periods of ‘Unhealthy’ [air quality] depending on conditions,” the NCUAQMD stated in a press release today.

A wildfire graphic provided by our smoky neighbors to the north.

Read more from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District below:

Wildfires remain active throughout Oregon and Northern California. The fires with the potential to impact our area (depending on conditions) continue to be the Klondike/Taylor and Natchez Fire (Southern Oregon), Carr and Hirz Fire (Shasta/Eastern Trinity County), and the Mendocino Complex (Lake/Mendocino County).

Humboldt & Del Norte

Inland Humboldt and Del Norte County will continue to see increased smoke impacts from the fires. River drainages will continue to see increased smoke impacts due to inversion conditions. Air quality conditions in the drainages are expected to be “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”. Orleans and Hoopa may experience extended periods of “Unhealthy” depending on conditions. Smoke from the Oregon fires will continue to make its way along the Coast where conditions can range of “Good” to “Moderate” with periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”. Smoke from the Mendocino Complex is expected to make its way northward into the inland areas where conditions can range from “Good” to “Moderate” with periods of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” depending on location.

Trinity County

Air quality conditions for Weaverville, Lewiston, and Eastern Trinity County are forecast to be primarily “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” with periods of “Unhealthy” conditions depending on proximity.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are presently in Crescent City, Gasquet, Klamath, Weitchpec, Orleans, Hoopa, Eureka, Weaverville, Lewiston, and Garberville. Updates will be provided as conditions change. For 24-hour Air Quality Advisory Information, call tollfree at 1-866-BURN-DAY (1-866-287-6329)