India, July 24 -- Wild land fire activity in Canada ramped up in July, a time of year when lightning ignitions typically increase, according to a seasonal outlook published by several North American fire agencies. The blazes sent smoke plumes pouring across the U.S. and Canada, affecting air quality in both countries, the report says.
Brown carbon, emitted by wild land fires and tracked over the span of a week earlier this month, worsened air quality in parts of North America.
Data from a version of NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System model tracked brown carbon, the organic aerosols emitted by fires that give smoke plumes their characteristic yellow, orange, and brown tint. Brown carbon is a major component of a fire's PM2.5 emissions, ...