What does "smoke inversion" refer to?

"Smoke inversion" refers to the phenomenon where smoke hangs low to the ground on calm days. This occurs when temperature inversions create stable atmospheric conditions that prevent smoke and other pollutants from rising into the atmosphere. In a normal situation, smoke would rise as it is warmer than the surrounding air, dispersing into the atmosphere. However, during an inversion, a layer of warm air traps the cooler air (and smoke) close to the ground. This can lead to reduced air quality and poor visibility, as the smoke becomes concentrated in a layer that can affect both respiratory health and operational conditions. Understanding smoke inversion is crucial for firefighters, as it impacts smoke behavior, hazardous conditions, and overall firefighting strategy in urban and wildland fire scenarios.