Narrative:

Flight X was conducted as a normal revenue flight. Flight conditions for several weeks have remained the same with low inflight visibility due to smoke from all of the local forest fires. The event begins with being given a vector to intercept the runway xx localizer. I was established at my best approximation between point zzzzz and ZZZZZ1. I had been given a descent from 5;900 feet to 5;300 feet. As soon as I was established a short time in the normal smoke that has been occurred daily in this area quickly turned into a bright orange red smoke and seemed like flames. Within a second I hit what I would call extreme turbulence. It picked up one wing and I am unsure exactly how far over I had turned but I was against the captain's side wall. At the same time I was experiencing some sort debris hitting the aircraft. The time frame of all of this was within seconds. While encountering this my aircraft filled with black smoke and I was unable to see any instruments. The cabin became so hot it is hard to explain the heat. I felt like I had embers of fire on my shorts. The only thing I recall seeing at this point was an annunciation light flashing. I turned to what I believed to be the downwind side of the fire and luckily was able to remove myself from this severe situation. I had to open my cockpit window to get smoke out and reestablished myself on localizer and continued approach. Again it is extremely difficult to give exact time frame and statements I said to ATC. When I was turning away from what I was in I announced I was deviating. Then said not to allow aircraft through there and I thought I may have a fire or be on fire something to that extent. I did not formally [advise ATC] because I was so focused on trying to make sure I made it to the airport safely. I was handed off to tower on short final I requested him to look and see if he saw anything abnormal from my aircraft. He did not and I taxied to parking. After the flight I contacted ATC and the approach controllers to explain what happened they in turn put a new tfr up that closed that approach down. It reinforces the fact that communication is absolutely key. I am fortunate that it was myself and not the [aircraft] that was 8 minutes behind me that ended up diverting because of the fire. After this contact I went through all of the [company] channels dispatch; ops; maintenance control; local maintenance; [and the] chief pilot. The aircraft was grounded and maintenance sent to check aircraft the next morning. It was also mutually decided to go to an urgent care center which turned to an er visit to ensure I had not taken too much smoke into my body.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Small transport aircraft Captain reported extreme conditions and loss of control on approach due to wild fire.

Narrative: Flight X was conducted as a normal revenue flight. Flight conditions for several weeks have remained the same with low inflight visibility due to smoke from all of the local forest fires. The event begins with being given a vector to intercept the Runway XX localizer. I was established at my best approximation between point ZZZZZ and ZZZZZ1. I had been given a descent from 5;900 feet to 5;300 feet. As soon as I was established a short time in the normal smoke that has been occurred daily in this area quickly turned into a bright orange red smoke and seemed like flames. Within a second I hit what I would call extreme turbulence. It picked up one wing and I am unsure exactly how far over I had turned but I was against the Captain's side wall. At the same time I was experiencing some sort debris hitting the aircraft. The time frame of all of this was within seconds. While encountering this my aircraft filled with black smoke and I was unable to see any instruments. The cabin became so hot it is hard to explain the heat. I felt like I had embers of fire on my shorts. The only thing I recall seeing at this point was an annunciation light flashing. I turned to what I believed to be the downwind side of the fire and luckily was able to remove myself from this severe situation. I had to open my cockpit window to get smoke out and reestablished myself on LOC and continued approach. Again it is extremely difficult to give exact time frame and statements I said to ATC. When I was turning away from what I was in I announced I was deviating. Then said not to allow aircraft through there and I thought I may have a fire or be on fire something to that extent. I did not formally [advise ATC] because I was so focused on trying to make sure I made it to the airport safely. I was handed off to Tower on short final I requested him to look and see if he saw anything abnormal from my aircraft. He did not and I taxied to parking. After the flight I contacted ATC and the Approach Controllers to explain what happened they in turn put a new TFR up that closed that approach down. It reinforces the fact that communication is absolutely key. I am fortunate that it was myself and not the [aircraft] that was 8 minutes behind me that ended up diverting because of the fire. After this contact I went through all of the [company] channels Dispatch; Ops; Maintenance Control; Local Maintenance; [and the] Chief Pilot. The aircraft was grounded and Maintenance sent to check aircraft the next morning. It was also mutually decided to go to an urgent care center which turned to an ER visit to ensure I had not taken too much smoke into my body.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.