Waldbrand smoke from Canada ensures milky sky over Germany

Waldbrand smoke from Canada ensures milky sky over Germany

Berg am Laim, Deutschland - Today, on June 10, 2025, people in parts of southern Germany have a very special natural spectacle in mind. Dense clouds wrap the region and the cause of this can be found in distant Canada. There are heavy forest fires, whose smoke has reached Europe over the Atlantic. The German Weather Service (DWD) reports that western winds are responsible for the fact that the smoke has also reached German air. Some say that there is something when the sky looks so "milky"-not to mention the red-or-colored sunsets that are expected in the coming days.

But the phenomenon is not limited to Germany. France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy are also affected, as satellite images impressively show. The cloud of smoke has been over the Alpine region since Monday, and the EU-Erd observation program Copernicus had already pointed out last week that the pollutants from Canada found their way to Europe. This is not a sudden visit, but the smoke is spread over hundreds of kilometers.

smoke clouds and sunsets

The possible consequences of these forest fire pisodes are initially fascinating for many, but they also bring a certain uncertainty with them. The botanical business card of the smoke, which has now also reached the Mediterranean, are cloudy days and impressive sunsets. In addition, it was found in the last few weeks that a second, larger cloud of smoke that flew northwestern Europe. It is interesting: Larger effects on the air quality near the ground are not to be expected, since the majority of the smoke is transported in higher air layers, several reports confirm, including from wetter.com.

However, the forest fires in Canada should not be underestimated. In the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario in particular, there were over 100 foci, which is due to the extraordinary dryness and the strong winds that favor these fire. As a precaution, thousands of people were brought to safety, while the fires at the same time also search for other regions such as the southeast of Russia. Pyrocumulonimbus clouds that arise due to the intensive heat contribute to the mapping of the impressive smoke phenomenon and showing how linked nature with our weather conditions.

short weather outlook

The prospects for the coming days are still uncertain. The DWD does not assume that the smoke in the Alpine region will disappear immediately. The air pressure and the weather conditions could ensure that we have to live with the milky veil for the time being. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether we will reach further clouds of smoke. But one thing is certain: nature is once again able to captivate us with its strength and changes and to remember moments when the ordinary meets the unusual.