Forest fires are still burning across Canada today as thousands of people flee their homes and a thick, smoky orange haze thas settled over much of the U.S. East Coast. Via Reuters:
About 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have already burned, roughly 15 times the 10-year average, according to federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair. Warm, dry conditions were expected to persist in the months ahead.
Although wildfires are common in Canada, it is unusual for blazes to be burning simultaneously in the east and west, stretching firefighting resources and forcing the Canadian government to send in the military to help. Hundreds of U.S. firefighters arrived in Canada to help and more were on their way.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed climate change. "These fires are affecting everyday routines, lives and livelihoods, and our air quality," Trudeau said on Twitter.
I had a pounding sinus headache from the smoke that lasted for two days, and didn't even respond to the nuclear option of Excedrin and Pepsi. As I talked to my friends on the phone yesterday, I shared my irresistable urge to punch a Republican (since, after all, they're synonomous with global warming denial). Hey, knuckleheads: YOU WERE WRONG. How do you like what you've wrought?
As I opened the door to get my mail and peered out at the orange sun and the smoky haze over everything, I felt like an extra in "The Last Of Us."
Yes, I know the West Coast has dealt with this for years, as friends reminded me. The East Coast has its own global warming problems, most of them having to do with extreme storms and flooding. But it just infuriates me that it keeps getting worse, yet these people are still parroting the propaganda that justifies their voting for the bad guys. (Did you know some people believe this is a dirty bomb, and the feds are pretending it's smoke?)
I mean, they canceled the Phillies game last night. I don't remember a game ever being called for bad air before. Which leads me to this piece of advice for Republicans:
You can't breathe tax cuts, a**holes. How do you like your masks now?
