8,300 Lightning Strikes Ignite New Wildfires Across the Northwest
Wildfires are multiplying fast across Washington, Oregon and Idaho, fueled by tinder-dry vegetation, extreme heat and a burst of lightning from recent monsoon thunderstorms. And thanks to the jet stream, the smoke isn't staying put.
Lightning Strikes Are Sparking a Wave of New Fires
More than 8,300 lightning strikes hit Oregon alone on July 22 and 23, sparking a wave of new fire starts. Many of the thunderstorms that rolled through brought little rain, and gusty winds helped the newly ignited fires spread rapidly. Dozens of large fires are now burning from Oregon and Washington into Idaho and western Montana, badly degrading air quality across the region.
Fires are also active across southern Canada, where blazes in interior British Columbia are sending smoke through the Canadian Rockies and into Alberta.
How the Smoke Is Traveling So Far
Here's where it gets surprising: once smoke rises high into the atmosphere, the jet stream picks it up and carries it much farther than most people would guess. Southwesterly winds are already pushing Northwest smoke into southern Canada, and as the jet stream dips near the Great Lakes, some of that same smoke loops back down into the northeastern U.S.
The good news for the East: fires burning in western Ontario have eased somewhat after recent rain, cutting down on how much smoke is reaching the Midwest and Northeast from that source. Most of what remains high in the atmosphere is producing hazy skies rather than the kind of ground-level smoke that hurts air quality. Still, some smoke may mix closer to the surface depending on conditions, which could affect people with asthma or other respiratory sensitivities.
What's Next for the Northwest
The pattern isn't done yet. Persistent heat is likely to keep fueling fire growth through the week, and scattered monsoon thunderstorms, many producing little rain, raise the risk of new lightning-caused fires. Later this week, a Pacific storm system is on track to move into the Northwest, but instead of soaking rain, it's more likely to bring gusty winds and another round of dry thunderstorms, a setup that could spark even more fires across the Northwest and British Columbia.
For tips on protecting your health during smoke events, see our guide on staying safe when wildfire smoke rolls in.
Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.