Recently, wildfire smoke invaded a large part of the US. What made this alarming was not only the severity of the smoke, but that it affected areas hundreds of miles from the wildfires themselves and affected in some of the US’ largest cities. What do we need to know about wildfire smoke and the harm it can cause?
Wildfires have increased in the United States over the past few decades. The country has witnessed a rise in both the number and severity of wildfires, particularly in the western states. The frequency of large wildfires has increased significantly in recent years. Longer fire seasons, defined by a longer period of dry and hot conditions, have become more common. According to
the National Interagency Fire Center, the number of acres burned by wildfires annually in the US has been consistently above the 10-year average since the early 2000s.
The size and intensity of wildfires have also shown an upward trend. Larger areas are being consumed by flames, and fires are burning more intensely, leading to greater damage to ecosystems and property. Some recent wildfires have been particularly destructive, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of communities.
Typically, the western states, such as California, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, are particularly affected by the increase in wildfires. These states are characterized by dry conditions, extensive forested areas, and a history of fire suppression practices that have contributed to the accumulation of fuels. The combination of these factors has resulted in more severe and frequent wildfires in the region.
Remember that regional variations exist within the US, and while the western states have experienced a pronounced increase in wildfires, the recent events clearly show that no one is immune from their effects.
1. Where did the most recent smoke is come from?
Currently, the smoke is coming from wildfires in Quebec. Canada has had a terrible wildfire season across the whole country, experiencing more than 400 fires so far this year, which burned more than 9 million acres. Smoke from those fires first swept down over Montana and Colorado in May, causing really poor air quality.
All of these fires are happening because Canada has seen stubborn hot, dry weather, including record high temperatures in May. All it takes is a spark – for example in the form of lightning from thunderstorms, to start the fires.
From there, weather conditions dictate where the smoke goes from there. Sometimes, smoke stays high up and just creates some haze, but the smoke from the Canadian fires stayed close to the ground, which makes it a much bigger problem. Geographically, the interaction between a high-pressure system over Canada and a low-pressure system east of it have sent the smoke south, plaguing New York then heading down into Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland on Thursday.
It’s really difficult to predict how long the smoky conditions might last.
You can check your local branch of the National Weather Service or AirNow.Gov for forecast information.
2. What’s in the smoke? What should people pay attention to? What do terms like AQI and PM2.5 mean?
When experts discuss air quality, they refer to the Air Quality Index, which is a color-coded 500-point scale that ranks air quality in your area.
And one of the primary measurements for the Index is particulate matter 2.5 or PM2.5, which are fine particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in size. You can’t see these harmful particles but they are inhaled deeply into the lungs.
Smoke and other forms of air pollution also can contain volatile organic compounds. That’s what gives smoke its acrid, distinct smell.
These compounds are toxic and are small enough to slip past face masks.
But the thing about a lot of wildfires these days is that they are increasingly burning residential communities – that means, on top of the plants and vegetation that burns in forest wildfire, you’re burning things like paint thinners, detergents, plastics, cars and so on.
3. What are the health risks and who are the most vulnerable groups?
Wildfire smoke impacts people with preexisting conditions, – asthma, cardiopulmonary disease, lung disease. It worsens those conditions and makes it more difficult to control symptoms. Ilona Jaspers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates that patients will require more medication to control wheezing shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing.
Children, especially those under the age of five, can have a twofold increase in asthma—the smoke can not only make asthma worse, but it can actually induce it.
Adults older than 65 also should be careful with wildfire smoke exposure. Less than a day’s worth of exposure from smoke hundreds of miles away can cause an increase in heart attacks and strokes.
Kari Nadeau at Harvard University indicated that research found that the risk of stroke goes up by 40 percent from wildfire smoke exposure.
Dr. Nadeau also said that people of color and underserved communities are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events, like wildfire.
4. How can exposure to wildfire smoke affect even healthy people?
No one is immune from wildfire smoke symptoms. People will feel the effects of wildfire smoke within 8 hours of exposure even if its hundreds of miles away, including but not limited to itchy throat, coughing, watery eyes, your skin starts itching or becomes dry.
Within days to weeks after exposure rate of asthma attacks, heart attack, and stroke increase.
A paper published in 2022 showed that brain cancer and lung cancer increases not only in wildfire fighters, but also in communities that were exposed for many years to wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke is a significant threat to pregnant women because it is linked to premature and stillbirth.
5. What can we do to protect ourselves from wildfire smoke?
If your areas is subject to wildfire smoke, the most important thing is to limit your time outside—especially strenuous activities like exercise. If you must go outside, wear a high-quality mask like an N95 or KN95.
Second, when you’re inside, keep your windows closed.
Third, equip yourself with a quality air purifier, Make sure that the system, not just the filter material, achieves HEPA level filtration, which are the kind used in hospitals. These units block really small particles like those found in wildfire smoke.
It’s important to make sure the system achieves HEPA filtration. A well-made system ensures that 100% of the air entering the system must pass through the filter so that was comes out is purified. Many of the cheap units use misleading language stating that their filter material is HEPA grade. This is a clear indication that the system itself does not guarantee that all of the air entering the system is filtered, which defeats the purpose of having the unit.
Make sure the unit is strong enough for the size of room you’re in.
Carico’s complete line of air purification units provide medical grade HEPA filtration. ALL of the air entering our systems is purified. Carico air purification systems remove the dangerous PM2.5 matter and the volatile organic compounds.
Fourth, plug up poorly sealed windows with wet towels or painter’s tape to prevent air from leaking in.
6. Was the recent exposure to wildfire smoke a fluke or could this become a more regular issue?
Wildfires are a growing concern around the world in recent years. While wildfires have always naturally occurred, there is evidence to suggest that their frequency and intensity have increased in various regions. Several factors contribute to the rise in wildfires, including climate change, land management practices, and human activities.
Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changing precipitation patterns create drier conditions, promoting the spread of wildfires. The warming climate accelerates evaporation, leading to drier vegetation, which becomes more susceptible to ignition.
Drought and Heatwaves: Extended periods of drought and heatwaves have become more common in many parts of the world. These conditions create an ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly. Dry vegetation, combined with strong winds, can result in uncontrollable wildfires that are difficult to extinguish.
Forest Management Practices: In some regions, historical forest management practices have contributed to the increase in wildfires. Fire suppression policies implemented in the past led to the accumulation of flammable materials, such as dead trees, brush, and leaf litter, creating fuel for more intense fires when they do occur. This buildup of fuels has made it harder to manage wildfires effectively.
Urban Expansion and Wildland-Urban Interface: The expansion of human settlements into wildland areas, known as the wildland-urban interface, has increased the risk of wildfires. As more people live in or near forested areas, the potential for human-caused ignitions rises. Additionally, the proximity of homes and infrastructure to wildfire-prone areas increases the
potential for property damage and loss of life.
Human Activities: Human activities, including accidental ignitions, intentional arson, and irresponsible behavior, contribute significantly to wildfires. Campfires left unattended, discarded cigarette butts, sparks from machinery, and deliberate acts of arson can all trigger devastating wildfires. These human-caused fires can spread quickly and have severe consequences.
Wildfire trends vary by region, and while some areas experience a rise in wildfires, others may not observe the same pattern. Monitoring and understanding the underlying causes of wildfires are crucial for implementing effective prevention and mitigation strategies.
