[custom_adv] The Bay Area in California awoke Wednesday to a scene straight out of Mars. Orange and even red skies blanketed San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, and ash rained down, with wildfires raging far in the distance. [custom_adv] "When the smoke and ash get even thicker close to the wildfires, it can cut the sunlight out completely, making it look like the dead of night," CNN meteorologist Judson Jones said. [custom_adv] Residents turned on lights, looking into a rust-colored sky that made it look like nighttime. Winds are carrying the wildfire smoke from afar. Both the Creek Fire and the North Complex Fire are burning more than 200 miles away, yet their presence could be felt in the Bay Area. Other places, such as Salem, Oregon, are experiencing similar apocalyptic glows. [custom_adv] The smoke particles are scattering blue light and only allowing yellow-orange-red light to reach the surface, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The smoke, therefore, makes the skies look orange and much darker than usual. [custom_adv] The orange skies have transformed San Francisco into a dystopian scene, with many people drawing comparisons between the city and the world of Blade Runner 2049. Local leaders are calling for more to be done about climate change as the orange skies provide a stark reminder of the effects of global warming. [custom_adv] The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is warning Bay Area residents to protect their health during this weather event and is encouraging people to avoid exposure by staying inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, if possible. [custom_adv] Bay Area residents are also encouraged to visit an air-cooling center if temperatures are too hot indoors and to set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. [custom_adv] Californians are experiencing orange skies as a result of the wildfires that are burning in the northwestern U.S. The scenes have been described as "apocalyptic" and compared to Blade Runner and Mars. [custom_adv] The Bay Area in California awoke Wednesday to a scene straight out of Mars. Orange and even red skies blanketed San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, and ash rained down, with wildfires raging far in the distance.
