Ontario and the Boundary Waters area are burning.

Tied up to the city pier in Houghton, with a makeshift air purifier running in the boat. When I woke up yesterday my eyes were stinging from the smoke and everything was coated in a layer of ash. It smells like campfire everywhere.

The lift bridge is about a quarter mile from my position. Visibility can't be much more than half a mile.

Last summer the smoke went on for days but this is the first time I've noticed the ash. There have been days of smoke every summer since 2020 in the north country.

I asked my parents, both in their 70's if they remember days like this when they were growing up - just once, in 1980 when Mt. St. Helens erupted.

Since I am somewhat sensitive to it and I can hide in the cabin with my air purifier I'm waiting the smoke out before continuing to Marquette.