Fire scars reveal source of New England's 1780 Dark Day

Michael C. Stambaugh; Richard P. Guyette; Daniel C. C. Dey; Erin R. McMurry

doi:10.1071/WF05095

Treesearch

Fire scars reveal source of New England's 1780 Dark Day

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Michael C. Stambaugh, Richard P. Guyette, Daniel C. C. Dey, Erin R. McMurry

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1071/WF05095

Source:

International Journal of Wildland Fire. 16: 266-270.

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Abstract

Historical evidence suggests that great wildfires burning in the Lake States and Canada can affect atmospheric conditions several hundred miles away (Smith 1950; Wexler 1950). Several 'dark' or 'yellow' days, as such events are commonly called, have been recorded, often with anecdotal or direct evidence pointing to wildfires as the source (Plummer 1912; Ludlum 1972). One such 'dark day' occurred across New England in 1780, a year in which people were technologically unable to confirm the source of such a phenomenon. Here we combine written accounts and fire scar evidence to document wildfire as the likely source of the infamous Dark Day of 1780.

Citation

McMurry, Erin R.; Stambaugh, Michael C.;Guyette, Richard P.; Dey, Daniel C. 2007. Fire scars reveal source of New England's 1780 Dark Day. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 16: 266-270.