Jonesboro, Ark. — Smoke from large-scale wildfires in Canada and the western United States, which have burned over 2.2 million acres, is drifting into the upper atmosphere above Northeast Arkansas. However, local residents do not need to worry about significant air quality problems at ground level, experts said.
Ryan Vaughan, chief meteorologist for KAIT, explained that while plumes from these distant fires are visible overhead, they are traveling at altitudes too high to pose respiratory risks in the region.
"The best place that we can kind of see the impacts of it is in the sky," Vaughan said. "Today, the sky is a little hazier. And tonight, there's a full moon. So the moon will have maybe a little bit of an orange tint to it."
The atmospheric smoke alters the moon’s appearance by scattering shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet, while allowing longer wavelengths, like red and orange, to dominate, creating the warmer hue.
For individuals who may be sensitive to even minor air-quality changes or detect faint smoke odors in their surroundings, experts recommend using home air purifiers with "True HEPA" filters. These devices are designed to capture the microscopic particles found in wildfire smoke. Additionally, activated charcoal filters can help neutralize any lingering odors indoors when added to HVAC systems or portable air circulation units.
While the visual effects of the smoke may be noticeable tonight during the full moon, health risks remain minimal for Northeast Arkansas due to the altitude of the drifting plumes.