1
00:00:00,900 --> 00:00:03,870
But it's not just the fire itself
that's dangerous.

2
00:00:03,870 --> 00:00:08,108
Wildfire smoke can travel
for thousands of miles, having the ability

3
00:00:08,108 --> 00:00:11,578
to blanket large swaths of a continent
from a single wildfire.

4
00:00:12,212 --> 00:00:14,781
Smoke from wildfires
can reach high altitudes,

5
00:00:14,781 --> 00:00:18,151
between 3 to 6 miles, and travel
with prevailing winds.

6
00:00:18,952 --> 00:00:22,856
This smoke can linger in the air
for several weeks, changing the chemistry

7
00:00:22,856 --> 00:00:26,192
of the atmosphere, and reducing the amount
of sunlight reaching the surface.

8
00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:30,030
Smoke that gets trapped
near the ground severely impacts

9
00:00:30,030 --> 00:00:32,432
the air quality in surrounding communities,

10
00:00:32,432 --> 00:00:34,934
and poor air quality can last for months

11
00:00:34,934 --> 00:00:37,203
as large fires continue to smolder, 

12
00:00:37,203 --> 00:00:40,373
even after the fire itself has been contained.