In the United States, super fog occurs a few times a year. Often, it can be fatal. Case in point: Three people were killed in a 15-car pileup involving a tractor-trailer on I-95 in Florida. Several people were also injured, with one child being airlifted to a local hospital.
What is super fog?
Super fog forms when a mixture of smoke and moisture from damp, smoldering, organic material (such as brush, leaves, and trees), mixes with cooler air. Smoke molecules attach to the water molecules, making a haze so thick that visibility is lowered to less than 10 feet. What’s worse, is that super fog doesn’t simply “burn off” when the sun comes out, much like what happens with regular fog. In fact, super fog can linger for days.
Under light wind conditions, super fog usually meanders to low terrain areas, such as creek beds or drainage ditches. When these locations are covered in super fog, it usually isn’t a safety issue. But it can be very dangerous when winds cause it to drift over highways. This weather phenomenon has been the cause of several large, multi-vehicle pileups across the country.
During the Florida incident, there was a controlled burn taking place just west of I-95. Edgewater Fire Department had notified the public of this and said that some smoke may be visible if the wind changed directions. Unfortunately, the smoke from the controlled burn blew toward I-95. The steaming clouds hit a pocket of cool air, leading to a significant drop in visibility.
Where in the U.S. does super fog occur?
Super fog can form in most U.S. climates, save for the desert. But the phenomenon is more common in places where there is a mix of water sources and thick, dense brush. Louisiana is known for issues with super fog. Not only are they surrounded by water, but many of their forests are sitting in swamps and marshes. Should dry weather create a wildfire, it can burn through the dry soil and activate the flammable peat moss below the surface. In fact, peat is known for its ability to self-heat and self-ignite.
In October of 2023, a 160-car pile-up on a Louisiana highway left seven dead and dozens injured.
Does Virginia have geographical conditions for super fog?
Yes, it does. In November, a dense super fog settled into Lebanon, Virginia. Wildfire smoke mixed with rainfall, leaving this southwest portion of Virginia shrouded in mist. Not only does Virginia have dense foliage that can burn, but the state is home to many rivers, swamps, and wetlands – not to mention an ocean to the East. In all, Virginia has about 1 million acres of wetlands.
In Virginia’s tidewater area, the Great Dismal Swamp experienced a surface fire that quickly became a ground fire. The geological conditions of the swamp made it nearly impossible for firefighters to battle the blaze. They employed heavy, specialized equipment to control the fire. The resulting super fog was caught on camera, which you can see in the video posted by the Virginian-Pilot.
Regarding fire, it’s worth noting that the 2023 wildfire season more than doubled the previous record for fire-related air pollution in the U.S. Cumulative fine particle pollution exposure in the Richmond area was 50% higher than average over the past decade. And according to experts, it’s only going to get worse.
Prior to 2023, when the Canadian fires affected our average air quality, Virginia saw a yearly average of 700 fires that burned just under 9,500 acres. On average, these incidents damage or destroy more than 60 homes and other structures, per the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Please note that none of the above averages take into account the department’s additional use of “prescribed burning.” Controlled fires, while important for our ecosystem, have contributed to hazardous super fog conditions. Considering our dense foliage, wildfire proclivity, and ample bodies of water, super fog is a viable threat in Virginia.
Super fog and tractor-trailers
Part of the reason these pile-ups are so deadly, is the presence of tractor-trailers on the road. Though long-haul truckers have extensive experience with different road conditions, their 18-wheelers aren’t equipped with any special functionality for super fog. Truckers are privy to the same dangerous conditions as car drivers, only their vehicles can cause more damage. Slowing down is the safest first step that any driver can take.
Helpful tips for truck drivers:
- Specialized training should have taken place for these types of conditions.
- Some first responders are equipped with infrared cameras, which are helpful in foggy conditions. The trucking industry could benefit from equipping these drivers with similar tools.
- When wildfires make the super fog particularly toxic, and drivers must wait in place, respirators and goggles can be a lifesaver.
- Truck drivers should use their CB radios to communicate conditions to other truckers in the vicinity. It can save lives.
- Planning is also key, and truckers should check routes and weather conditions in advance, so not to be surprised by a wall of super fog.
How to drive safely in low-visibility conditions
- Slow down and proceed with caution.
- Use your low-beam headlights or fog lights to ensure your vehicle is visible to others.
- Never use high-beam lights, as they can cause glare and reduce visibility in such situations.
- Pay extra close attention to the lines of the road, if possible.
- Leave ample distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
- In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, turn on your hazard lights and pull into a safe location, such as a parking lot or as far off to the side of the road as possible.
Though rare, super fog can happen while you are on the highway. This is why it’s imperative to always practice defensive driving to keep the roads safe. And if you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the recklessness of another, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced trucking attorneys at Allen & Allen offer free case evaluations and look forward to hearing the unique details of your experience. Call today, at 866-388-1307.
