If you have noticed something different in southern Illinois skies lately, smoke from west coast wildfires is the reason. Illinois State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford, has seen the difference, in sunsets.
"There's been a few sunsets that have been a little bit redder, a little bit more brilliant that maybe we would expect."
Dr. Ford says one of the largest impacts has been seen during the day.
"This week we've had a couple of days where, the sky was this odd, shade of, kind of a milky white. It was certainly that way here in central Illinois and I've heard some reports of that in southern Illinois."
He adds as long as the wildfires burn, we will continue to see the smoke plume. Dr. Ford says these small pieces of unburnt material can stay in the air and can cause problems for people with asthma.