Wildfire threat remains high as smoke spreads to east coast

Fire weather conditions remain elevated in the interior of the northwestern and northern Rockies on Wednesday, as hot, dry weather combines with the threat of lightning strikes.

Red flag warnings and excessive heat warnings remain in effect.

Smoke from more than 80 large fires in the West – combined with the main forest fires in Western Canada – produces heavy plumes of smoke that spread across Canada and to the East Coast.

OREGON’S BOOTLEG FIRE GENERATES ITS OWN WEATHER

While most of this smoke travels above the surface, some filters closer to the ground.

Air quality alerts are in effect until at least tonight in parts of the Midwest and Northeast.

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A strong cold front that will help purify air in the east will bring the risk of strong to severe storms to the northeast and central Atlantic later today.

These storms include the potential for large hail, pockets of heavy precipitation, destructive winds and isolated tornadoes.