Satellite Image Shows California Blanketed In Thick Wildfire Smoke

A satellite image captured thick smoke emanating from the wildfires raging across California. As the fires persist, the smoke has been causing unhealthy breathing conditions.

NASA's Terra satellite snapped a natural-color image of California on Wednesday, clearly showing the thick smoke coming from the wildfires. In the image, captured by Terra's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument and shared by NASA Earth Observatory, the smoke is so massive that it has blocked the view of parts of the state and extends both toward the water and adjacent Nevada.

California's 2020 fire season has been particularly brutal, with the heat wave fueling dozens of wildfires that authorities have been working hard to control.

Apart from being prepared to evacuate should the order be given, residents in the affected areas were also advised to avoid breathing in the smoke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wildfire smoke is particularly harmful in several ways, from hurting the eyes to worsening preexisting lung and heart conditions.

"Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. Even someone who is healthy can get sick if there is enough smoke in the air," the CDC writes, further explaining that wildfire smoke inhalation can have immediate effects, from stinging eyes and having trouble breathing, to chest pain, an asthma attack and a fast heartbeat.

People who are in the affected areas are advised to stay indoors, use an air filter if possible and not to add indoor air pollution from sources such as candles or smoking tobacco. Vacuuming is also not advised as the activity tends to stir up the particles that are already inside the home.

In an update from Cal Fire, the department notes that most of the over 300 fires triggered by the recent thunderstorms have been extinguished but that many have grown "out of control" because of the brutal heat wave and gusty winds. Hence, even firefighters from other states have already come to help extinguish the fires.

With minor changes to the temperature expected through the week, the fire conditions may still cause new wildfires to begin. Thus, people are being advised to be prepared by having an evacuation plan that can keep the family and others safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.