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Wildfire Smoke in Cleveland: Views Around Town

Smoke from Canadian wildfires reached Greater Cleveland again this week. 

by Annie Nickoloff | Jun. 28, 2023 | 3:32 PM

Courtesy Betsy Smith, Courtesy Kellie DuBay Gillis, Courtesy Alana Coticchia, Courtesy Joe Romanish, Courtesy @EMSinCLE, Courtesy @MWC_Weather, Courtesy Joey Kinsley, Courtesy @CtyGrlPhoto

Courtesy Betsy Smith, Courtesy Kellie DuBay Gillis, Courtesy Alana Coticchia, Courtesy Joe Romanish, Courtesy @EMSinCLE, Courtesy @MWC_Weather, Courtesy Joey Kinsley, Courtesy @CtyGrlPhoto

As wildfire smoke from Canada crept into Cleveland on Tuesday and Wednesday, a smoky smell filled the air and limited faraway sights — and, soon enough, the city's skyline was obscured. The air quality worsened, reaching an air quality index of 276 out of 500 by late morning, according to AirNow.gov.

READ MORE: Clevelanders Urged to Stay Indoors As Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Hits Cleveland

When the smoke blanketed town, Northeast Ohioans shared photos and stories of its sights and smells on social media.

"Pictures aren't really doing it justice," shared @CtyGrlPhoto on Twitter. "Smells like a bonfire everywhere."

Wildfire Smoke in Cleveland - @CtyGrlPhoto

(Photo courtesy @CtyGrlPhoto)

"The wildfire smoke is so thick today," shared Joe Romanish, an Intro Cleveland apartment resident, on Twitter. "Smell is starting to make its way inside our apartment."

Cleveland Wildfire Smoke - Joe Romanish

(Photo courtesy Joe Romanish)

Twitter user @EMSinCLE shared a photo from downtown Cleveland, looking South:

Downtown Cleveland Wildfire Smoke - @EMSinCLE

(Photo courtesy @EMSinCLE)

"Downtown Cleveland is supposed to be right there," tweeted social media personality and commentator Joey Kinsley, aka @SirYacht. "The Canada wildfire smoke is crazy."

Downtown Cleveland Wildfire Smoke - Joey Kinsley

(Photo courtesy Joey Kinsley)

 

"From the ‘burbs to downtown, this wildfire smoke is a sad situation," tweeted Alana Coticchia, who posted photos from both Bay Village and downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland Wildfire Smoke - Alana Coticchia

(Photo courtesy Alana Coticchia)

Cleveland Wildfire Smoke - Alana Coticchia

(Photo courtesy Alana Coticchia)

Bay Village Wildfire Smoke - Alana Coticchia

(Photo courtesy Alana Coticchia)

"AQI is now over 301 on the east side of Cleveland, which puts us in the hazardous/emergency range," tweeted @MWC_Weather, from Mayfield Heights.

Wildfire Smoke Mayfield Heights - @MWC_Weather

(Photo courtesy @MWC_Weather)

"In my little corner of Ohio, the sky is hazed with wildfire smoke," wrote Fairview Park resident Kellie DuBay Gillis on Twitter. "Smells as if they are burning only miles from us."

Wildfire Smoke in Fairview Park - Kellie DuBay Gillis

(Photo courtesy Kellie DuBay Gillis)

Did you see the wildfire smoke in Northeast Ohio? Share photos with us at nickoloff@clevelandmagazine.com.

READ MORE: Canadian Wildfires and Cleveland's "Unhealthy" Air Quality: What To Do


Annie Nickoloff

Annie Nickoloff is the senior editor of Cleveland Magazine. She has written for a variety of publications, including The Plain Dealer, Alternative Press Magazine, Belt Magazine, USA Today and Paste Magazine. She hosts a weekly indie radio show called Sunny Day on WRUW FM 91.1 Cleveland and enjoys frequenting Cleveland's music venues, hiking trails and pinball arcades.

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