Wildfire smoke harms more people in the eastern U.S. than West, study shows

December 31, 1969 | ATLANTA

As large fires smolder in the western United States, the smoke can travel across the country, blanketing large population centers. Now, a recent study shows that smoke, from both western wildfires and local sources, may be more harmful to residents in the eastern United States than many think. “This is not surprising at all,” said Rodney Weber, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences who was not involved in the study. “A lot of the smoke disperses out where it’s not very easily detectable.” The story also appeared in the Seattle Times