I’ve scanned most of the comments and missing from what I saw is the biggest factor I see in our area:
People who complain to their legislators about smoke from prescribed burns.
Hence, they’ve all but stopped in the face of clean air regulations and a burdensome permit process.
Thus, those complaining about the smoke in CA can cry me a river. In fact, they should shed their tears into Lake Mead; they’re gonna need it.
Bingo! We have a winner.