During a routine research cruise last month off the California coast, a team of scientists noticed something alarming: a huge plume of smoke rising from the southern part of the state.
The plume signaled the start of a devastating series of wildfires that ripped through the Los Angeles metropolitan area in January, collectively burning tens of thousands of acres and killing at least 29 people before they were finally contained. The two largest blazes — the Eaton and Palisades fires — became the largest urban fires in California history.
As the scientists watched clouds of smoke billow over the ocean, they saw a rare chance to do some timely research.
Urban fires often produce toxic ash as they burn up buildings and other infrastructure. Would it be possible to study how these emissions affect the marine ecosystem?
