Strang, yet very cool, sensation

It was a very frigid 1ºC (33ºF) when I drove in this morning. There was ice on the edges of a puddles I passed. Even bundled in my dusty rose bouclé sweater, my Northface winter parka, complete with fleece liner, and with the heat on I was shivering in my car. Brrr. As I approached the second overpass before my exit I noticed the air was a shimmery black from a fire burning on the side of the road. The smoke covered the road, both directions, but there was still ample visibility. I entered the cloud and suddenly I felt warm, like someone had wrapped a big thick down blanket around me. It was comforting. I was warm. The feeling only stuck with me for about one quarter of a mile. Then I was chilled again.