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Loving those beautiful sunrises and sunsets? You can thank California

This satellite photo shows the smoke from California forest fires that have made their way over southern Ontario. That smoke is creating beautiful sunsets. NASA/EOSDIS

TORONTO – If you’ve been admiring those beautiful orange sunrises and red sunsets over the past couple of days, you can thank the sacrifices made by the forests of California.

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While fires raging in Washington and Montana are contributing to our colourful skies, Kate Jordan of Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said on Wednesday that California is the main contributor with intense forest fires carrying smoke high into the atmosphere.

Satellite imagery from Aug. 26 shows smoke from California, Washington and Montana converging in the upper atmosphere and travelling northeast toward Ontario. NASA/EOSDIS

“Our air quality is highly influenced by south of border,” Jordan said. “Particles can cause reflection and redder skies.”

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And it’s those particles leftover from the fires of California that have carried those particles into the atmosphere.

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The smoke has taken roughly a week to reach Ontario.

But there’s good news: air quality hasn’t really been impacted.

“If you look at air quality readings all have been in the moderate risk range,” Jordan said.

In fact, we’ve had no smog days this year, despite some highly hot and humid days. The last time we had a smog day was 2013, and it was just one day, a far cry from 2005 when we had 53.

So for now, breathe easy and enjoy the spectacular sunrise and sunsets, as well as perhaps a moonrise.

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