"Huge fires do not only occur in Canada, but also in Alaska, in less populated areas in the United States and, not to forget, in many parts of Russia, " said Wotawa.

CNN: Canadian forest fires add to U.S. pollution

Huge fires eight years ago killed four people.

ECONOMIST: Arson suspected

Mr. RANDY SHEPARD (Fire Incident Officer, Washington): There were some very large smoke columns that looked like huge cumulus clouds that develop over the fires.

NPR: No End in Sight for Western Fire Season

As you come to the park you see the observatory on the hillside with its huge dome telescope, buildings, and the fires just look like their consuming the observatory.

NPR: L.A. Fires Force Evacuation of Park, Zoo

In contrast, reducing emissions of the sooty particles known as black carbon, which are given off by inefficient combustion in cooking fires and brick kilns, and by dodgy diesel engines, offers rapid, huge and tangible public-health benefits (see article).

ECONOMIST: Climate change