The flames are expected to destroy between 50 to 90 percent of the oil in that section, and winds should blow the resulting cloud of smoke and soot out to sea, said Lt.

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Natural aerosols are produced by sea salt, desert dust, volcanic eruptions and smoke from forest fires.

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"I remember seeing this tremendous sea of first-responder vehicles ... and smoke was coming out, " said Kelly, who was on his first stint as police commissioner.

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