Making Air Pollution History Here In Northern California

Here is a plot of November particulate concentration (PM 2.5 - particulate matter below 2.5 microns in size) at Sacramento's T Street station.

The crisis in Northern California resulting from the Camp Fire has been getting worse with time, peaking on Thursday at levels 7.5 times the health standard of 35 micrograms per meter cubed (ug/m3). The crisis likely won't abate until near Thanksgiving, when a storm system might provide some relief. It generally takes fire fighters a month to put out these large fires, although rain from the storm might hasten that process.

The Northern California crisis is already among the worst episodes of air pollution in American history. Levels aren't quite as high as the great Chinese smog episodes of 2013, but will last longer than those episodes, and may hurt lots of people.