Western States covered in Smoke

[loneryder]

Just an FYI. West of Rapid City, SD all the vistas and mtns are covered with smoke. Viewing and photography is pretty much ruined. My plan was to leave Spearfish and head up to Calgary area. Further west I got the worse it was. I then heard that Alberta is covered from smoke from a number of fires in BC and that some roads are closed around Banmf. So I left Billings and headed south to Cheyenne where it is not as bad. Last I looked (yesterday) Estes Park, Co is not too bad. I'm headed home back east. No sense in continuing when you can't enjoy the beautiful country.

[ppine]

wa8yxm wrote:
Seems this happens every year, Wonder when we are going to learn not to burn.

The problems go way beyond people and careless handling of fire. The causes of wildifire are not that important. Lightning causes lots of fires and always will like the one behind my house this week.

Forest management is the way to control fire by increasing harvesting and the use of prescribed fire.

[BobsYourUncle]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
I live in Calgary.

It's nice and clear here. Beautiful sunshine and very pleasant.

A few days back we did have some smoke wander through but it's gone now.

Will it come back? Unknown, depends on the wind direction and if it changes I guess.

Yes there is a lot of smoke in BC.

Well it looks like I gotta eat my words....
There is a massive smoke cloud approaching Calgary from the west. It's coming fast and the sun is now obscured.
Oh well, can't win em all!

[wa8yxm]

Seems this happens every year, Wonder when we are going to learn not to burn.

[Lwiddis]

Nice here and east to Colorado Springs.

[timmac]

I am in Butte Montana right now and the sky is clear, 2 days ago there was some smoke but it cleared out, don't know where the OPer heard the whole western states were under a smoke cloud..

[ppine]

Smoke has always been normal in the late summer and early fall in the West. There was more smoke pre European contact than there is now.

[Redwoodcamper]

Just left the Tahoe area. Tons of smoke there. One day we couldn't see across the lake. Didn't really bother me. It's part of nature. I even love the smell. Lassen and Shasta were nearly smoke free. The real world isn't like the post card isle or pictures on google.

[BarryG20]

Smoke seems to be a normal thing anymore around here in the summer. Just depends on where the fires are and weather especially the winds. It can be smokey enough that you cant even see the front range for today then the next day clear as a bell then a few days later very hazy again. I sure wouldn't let it keep me from seeing this great country. Sort of like hiking in the mountains here and rain. Up high there is generally a chance for rain almost daily. You don't want to take the chance of getting wet well then your hiking is going to be very minimal. My wife and 8 year old grandson just spent 3 weeks on the Colorado Trail from about Creede To Tennessee Pass. Out of 21 days they got rained on 16 days from just a few minutes to hours long from sprinkles to downpours. You cant let that type of stuff stop you from doing things. You just have to buck up and go with it. It adds to the story and experience. Sometimes it is a real bummer but other times those conditions can create some real neat stuff as someone mentioned great sunsets or the like. The main thing is to get out and do it. I for one would much rather get rained on in the mountains or see a hazy vista than be sitting in my living room dry watching tv or reading but that is me, it wont be for everyone.

[RollandB]

Hmmm.....Covered? Maybe the millions who are supposed to head hear for the eclipse will change their minds and go somewhere else....??

[pinesman]

The Northern view from the Mt. Washburn webcam looks kinda smokey this morning.

[loneryder]

Roadpilot wrote:
We're in Yellowstone and it's fine here. We came from Spearfish 5 days ago and may have seen some smoke in areas, but nothing bad.

Were you at Chris' Camp? I left there on the 20th. I'm talking about the distant vistas being shrouded in haze.

[BobsYourUncle]

I live in Calgary.

It's nice and clear here. Beautiful sunshine and very pleasant.

A few days back we did have some smoke wander through but it's gone now.

Will it come back? Unknown, depends on the wind direction and if it changes I guess.

Yes there is a lot of smoke in BC.

[afidel]

Besides, smoke makes for better sunsets!

[Roadpilot]

We're in Yellowstone and it's fine here. We came from Spearfish 5 days ago and may have seen some smoke in areas, but nothing bad.