Will the New Mexico Wildfires Affect Oklahoma?

Surely by now you've seen at least some sort of coverage from the incredible wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico. They've only been burning for a few days, but the scenes on social media look apocalyptic.

@disasters.today Wildfire happening in Ruidoso, New Mexico Video: Alyssa Munoz mexico mary in new mexico new mexico incident stay in new mexico cherokee new mexico new mexico indigenous volcano new mexico new mexico legalize tornado in new mexico #newmexico #breakingnews #wildfire #news ♬ Oceans - Kenna Childs

It looks bad enough, it has people asking the question, will these fires eventually affect Oklahoma?

The Sooner State experienced this exact wildfire smoke situation during the summer of 2020, and I'm not sure if you remember it quite like I do, but it was wonderful.

At least in Lawton, we had exactly one day at or above 100° all summer long. Most of that season was a comfortable and balmy 85°-95° due to the wildfire smoke coming out of California, flying high in the atmosphere and acting as a sunblock for large portions of the country, Oklahoma included.

It was so nice that many Oklahomans have openly campaigned to light California back on fire each summer since it can be so absolutely brutal here--see Summer 2023.

Weather experts tend to agree that the jet stream won't likely push the wildfire smoke near us in Oklahoma, which is bittersweet. We like our clean air, but dang is it already hot.