Scientists fly through plumes of wildfire smoke to unravel its mysteries
Wildfire smoke hung in a hazy heavy cloud over parts of California this month, but it won’t stay for much longer. Rain is in the forecast, which could bring some relief from the poor air quality that’s blanketed parts of the state. But what happens to smoke after it is lofted into the air and starts interacting with air currents and weather is far more complicated than it might appear.
The smoke that billows out from a wildfire is incredibly complex. In addition to solid particles like ash, there are gases and droplets of liquids, all loosely roiling up into the atmosphere.
“Smoke is made up of lots of different things, and every single piece of smoke evolves differently.” Emily Fischer,...