Smoke from forest fires

[North of 49°]

In our neck of the woods, we're getting a lot of smoke from the forest fires drifting in from northern Saskatchewan. Our camping trip last weekend to Nutimik Lake Campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park, was uncomfortable to say the least. Our eyes were itchy and we were both coughing like long-term smokers. The smoke was so bad we could barely see across the river.

On the plus side, severe thunderstorms came through Saturday night and I was out standing under the awning enjoying the torrential downpour, and I got to see a spectacular lightning strike. I happened to be looking in the right direction at the right time to see what I think was the firewatch tower on the edge of the campground get hit by lightning -- whatever it was that got hit, it was darned close!

Unfortunately, the rain didn't do much to knock down the smoke.

 

[IA Rider]

Smoke from the Canadian fires is reaching us here in north Iowa. You can see it in the air and smell it. It is hard to believe the smoke is traveling that far.

 

[Seann45]

Finally Saskatchewan has an EXPORT!!!

 

[bucko-JAY]

Smoke from the Canadian fires is reaching us here in north Iowa. You can see it in the air and smell it. It is hard to believe the smoke is traveling that far.

This reminded me of a conversation I was having with a friend a few weeks ago; he was talking about the fires out west, and how that must be hard on folks breathing out there.

All the while he was talking about this, he was puffing on a cigarette.