Wildfire smoke has become a widespread and long-lasting problem for lakes in North America, as revealed by a study conducted by the University of California, Davis. The study found that nearly every lake in North America experienced at least one day of smoke per year from 2019 to 2021, with 89% of lakes experiencing more than 30 days of smoke each year. This surprising discovery led the authors to introduce the concept of a “lake-smoke day,” which measures the number of days a lake is exposed to smoke during a fire season.
The study used a hazard mapping product from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to quantify smoke density based on satellite imagery and ground-based measurements. The analysis included databases of over 1.3 million North American lakes larger than 25 acres to determine the prevalence and duration of smoke exposure. This research aims to establish a baseline for understanding the extent and intensity of smoke events, such as the persistent blanket of wildfire smoke from Canada in 2023 that reached the Northeastern United States and Western Europe.
While wildfires have historically been a natural and even healthy presence on the landscape, the increase in frequency and severity of catastrophic wildfires in recent years has raised concerns about the impact of smoke on natural systems. The authors highlight the need for further research to understand how smoke affects lake environments, as the known and theoretical impacts of smoke on lakes are still not well understood. Collaborating with the Global Lakes Ecological Observatory Network, the authors aim to share, understand, and communicate the impacts of smoke on lakes.
The study emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the research, involving expertise from a wide range of disciplines such as chemistry, atmospheric science, geography, and ecology. Funded primarily by the National Science Foundation, the research highlights the need for a coordinated effort to address the challenges posed by increasing wildfire smoke. The authors stress that quantifying the scope of the problem is the first step towards managing the impacts of smoke on lake ecosystems, not just in regions directly affected by wildfires, but across the globe.
As the impacts of smoke on lakes are highly variable and lake-specific, there is a need for further research to understand how smoke affects food webs, lake ecology, and the future of these systems in light of increasing smoke exposure. By quantifying the prevalence of smoke and its potential impacts on lakes, the study aims to raise awareness of the need to manage the effects of wildfire smoke on ecosystems. Through collaboration and continued research efforts, the authors hope to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges posed by wildfire smoke and develop strategies to mitigate its impact on lake environments.