Forest fires broke out in Nova Scotia, Canada a week ago. The heavy smoke from them has covered the Northeast of the United States for the last few days. It is an atmosphere reminiscent of sitting too close to a camp fire. Unfortunately we don’t have the option of just moving back a few feet to find clean air.
While I don’t have preexisting lung issues, I am being affected in a less severe way. My eyes are watering, my nose is scratchy, my throat is raw and I have a mild headache. In fact before I realized that the smoke was doing it, I took a Covid test since the symptoms seemed the same. Thank goodness no Covid
Intense heat, drought, smoke, and fires all challenge any complacency we might long for. We are in the midst of change regardless of political pundits’ pontificating otherwise. The “new normal” challenges us all. May we stop arguing about it and find ways to work together to deal with reality.
Saved By Words 
We have seen reports of the Canadian wildfires on the BBC, Elizabeth. I hope you will be safe.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks.
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This has become part of our reality too. Wildfires have been happening more frequently in California over the last few years. We’ve had drought years five of the past six years, but this winter, we made up for much of the shortfall.
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This winter really proved the adage “it never rains but it pours.”
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We got a taste of it in Chicago where sunsets were unusually orange. Looks like its gotten worse since then.
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Yes. It is like it was in Portland last year.
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Oh, not good, I do hope you will stay safe, Elizabeth
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Thanks.
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So hazy here too. The Quebec fires are affecting us now, gloomy and unsettling to have these air quality alerts to stay indoors.
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Yes. I like to think of Nova Scotia as green, not on fire.
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Yay for your last sentence Elizabeth. Common sense may prevail, but it is already past the deadline for making huge worldwide changes I fear.
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Yes. All around us we can see it happening.
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Forest fires are terrible. So many living beings there dead.
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Yes. I have learned that the future holds great heat for India too. We really do all share one planet.
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Excellent advice!
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Sorry to hear about this Elizabeth. Be safe!
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Thanks.
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Fire is a way of life for us down here. Just by reading your words I ‘smelt the smell and tasted the air’. Hopefully we won’t be doing that when the warmer weather comes around but the bureau are predicting an El Niño system developing with hot dry days so it’s distinctly possible.
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I am sorry to learn that we share this challenge. I much prefer focusing on knitting, our loving husbands and books to fires.
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Clearly most unpleasant
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Not used to it for sure.
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It was on last night’s UK news with a picture of New York wreathed in smoky smog. That must be some fire!
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Nova Scotia has(had) acres of lovely forest. I can see why there has been so much smoke.
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Stay safe, Elizabeth. Thinking of you and those living in the Canadian provinces also.
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Yes. I blog with a woman from Saskatchewan with lung issues. A real challenge for her.
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Stay in and stay hydrated. We have experienced the smoke from fires and it makes everything difficult. (Those masks we used for Covid might help if you must go out.) Our world is suffering under our decisions and I wonder what it will take before we take action.
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Yes the covid mask helped Charlie work outside.
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sounds bloody awful; never much fun when your neighbours have a bonfire just when you’ve organized a garden party
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Perfect analogy. Had just cleaned off our deck!
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Hi Elizabeth, I read about these fires. I am sorry you being affected. Climate change is a real thing.
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