In parts of California and Oregon, the air quality index has shot up to over 600, exceeding the scale’s maximum value of 500 and reaching unprecedented levels in the United States from ongoing wildfires. (Delhi, India, one of the world’s most polluted cities in the world, had an average air quality index of 98.6 in 2019.) The air quality on the West Coast is currently the worst in the world. Hot, dry conditions and high winds have fueled wildfires of historic proportions scorching the western United States. Precipitated by everything from lightning strikes, powerful wind storms and a gender reveal party, the fires have transformed the landscape of California, Oregon and Washington. Smoke from the blazes could be seen from satellites choking much of the region—billowing into the Pacific and cascading into British Columbia. Here’s where the fires are burning. An area close to the size of New Jersey has burned in the three states since the beginning of this year. Smoke from the fires has blotted out the sun and stained the skies Martian shades of orange and red. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2TwO8Gm QUICKTAKE ON SOCIAL: Follow QuickTake on Twitter: twitter.com/quicktake Like QuickTake on Facebook: facebook.com/quicktake Follow QuickTake on Instagram: instagram.com/quicktake Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJ0oQZ Email us at [email protected] QuickTake by Bloomberg is a global news network delivering up-to-the-minute analysis on the biggest news, trends and ideas for a new generation of leaders.