The Science Life Oceans

How will the LA fires affect the ocean? These researchers are racing to find out

Scientists aboard a research ship collected ash and debris to assess wildfire pollutants

Smoke from the Palisades fire can be seen above the ocean. View is from Santa Monica and includes green trees, other plants and buildings by the coast.

A quarterly research voyage to study the Pacific Ocean coincided with the Palisades and Eaton fires in the Los Angeles area. Samples gathered during the January trip will help scientists understand the natural disaster’s effects on the ocean.

Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

By McKenzie Prillaman

The ship was more than 160 kilometers offshore when biological oceanographer Rasmus Swalethorp spotted yellow smoke billowing above Los Angeles.