Smoky conditions had some people in southeastern New Brunswick and the Saint John area thinking a wildfire was on their doorstep.

But CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin says the source of the smoke Monday was actually quite a distance away in Nova Scotia.

"A very unique weather setup" allowed it to happen, Simpkin said.

"This summer has been unusual. We've had ridges of high pressure that sit overhead."

Normally, hot, smoky air rises to cooler, higher atmosphere, she said.

But in recent days, a ridge of high pressure caused relatively warm conditions in the upper atmosphere, which held the smoke low to the ground.

"Once the smoke hits that kind of cap, it kind of pools there," Simpkin said.

Meanwhile, west-southwest wind pushed the smoke along into parts of New Brunswick and P.E.I.

CBC

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