Western Wildfire Smoke Is Making Outdoor Dining Impossible

Between COVID-related business shutdowns, social distancing protocols, and no comprehensive response or plan from the federal government, bars and restaurants are facing unprecedented challenges. But now even nature seems to be against western business owners, as smoke from raging wildfires is making outdoor dining basically impossible.

According to Restaurant Business, the incredible smoke being created by fires raging across California, Oregon, and Washington is making it so that restaurants simply cannot serve people using outdoor patios. "The thick blanket of smoke was as if "John Carpenter's 'The Fog' rolled in," said Chad Mackay, the CEO of a "multi concept" Washington State company named Fire & Vine Hospitality. "The first day we did operate, and it was bad...We called all the customers and said, 'We can't open the patios.'"

It's hard to read news like this and not think of movies, novels, and short stories in which a sentient nature, fed up with humanity's constant bullshit, simply lets loose with everything it's got. But let's not forget, while the wind is spreading wildfire smoke nationwide, these fires are largely caused by people, and we are responsible for adding insult to injury. After all, the 10,000-acre El Dorado Fire in California was ignited by a "pyrotechnic device" used during a gender reveal party (🙄), so we can't even blame lightning strikes for some of this destruction.

As with the previous months, if there's something you can do to help local businesses, consider it. Buy a gift certificate, order takeout (consider ordering directly from the restaurant instead of the apps), and try to be patient if there are problems with your order or if things aren't exactly as you want them. It's a tough time for everyone, and if we want to have restaurants in the future we need to do whatever we can to support them.