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Wildfires🔥

What is a Wildfire?

Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas such as forests and grasslands; however, wildfires are becoming more common for fires to spread into urban and suburban areas that border natural areas, known as the “Wildland Urban Interface.”

What is the "Wildland Urban Interface?"

According to the US Fire Administration, the wildland urban interface (WUI) is the transition zone between undeveloped land and human development.

How do wildfires start?

85-90% of wildfires in the United States are caused by human activities, such as discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, and intentional arson. Other causes of wildfires include lightning strikes, dry vegetation, low relative humidity, and high winds.

Why are wildfires becoming more frequent?

Hotter and drier conditions lead to more frequent and intense occurrences. Warmer temperatures can also lead to longer wildfire seasons, too.

Health Effects of Wildfires

  • Scientists are still learning new things about how wildfires can affect our health, but here is what we know so far:

    • Respiratory symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, reduced lung function, increased risk of asthma exacerbation

    • Cardiovascular effects: Heart attack, stroke

    • Increased risk of ER visits and hospital admissions due to respiratory and cardiovascular effects

    • Other: Eye irritation, scratchy throat, runny nose. headaches, tiredness, nausea, skin rashes

How Different Populations are Impacted

Some communities and populations will feel the effects of wildfires more intensely than others. Below are some examples of groups at greater risk.

Using Glucometer at Home

People with Existing Conditions

Wildfires can significantly worsen existing conditions, such as asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, because the fine particles from wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and worsen pre-existing health problems.

Image by Ben Wicks

Infants & Children

Due to their developing lungs, children are more sensitive to the fine particles in smoke. This can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation, and worsen pre-existing conditions like asthma.

Forestry

Outdoor Workers

Responders (e.g., firefighters) and outdoor workers rely on their occupation to make a living, but that also means being exposed to wildfire smoke. For firefighters, wildfire smoke exposure has been linked to cardiovascular disease, lung damage, brain fog, respiratory infections, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Expecting

Pregnant Women

Exposure to wildfires during pregnancy has been associated with pre-term birth, low birth weight, and other adverse maternal and newborn health conditions.

Staying Safe During Wildfires

Follow the ready.gov/wildfires checklist to prepare for wildfires.

If there is an active wildfire near your home...

  • Pay attention to emergency alerts and notifications

  • Evacuate immediately if told to do so

  • Use an N95 or KN95 mask to protect yourself from smoke inhalation if you have to go outside

  • Limit exposure to smoke in your home by making sure your doors and windows are closed

Solutions to Preventing Wildfires

Campfires & Bonfires

  • Only use appropriate fire pits cleared of all vegetation and ringed by stones

  • Never leave a fire unattended

  • Make sure your fire is completely doused with water and smothered with dirt before leaving

  • Do not start a fire on a windy day

Yard Waste

  • Do not burn yard waste unless it’s allowed by your municipality. If you can, place yard waste in your compost bin.

    • If you are allowed to burn yard waste, never leave the fire attended, and make sure your fire is completely doused or smothered with dirt before leaving

    • Only burn yard waste in a 50-gallon drum or fire pit

    • Do not burn yard waste on a windy day

Smoking

  • Dispose used matches and butts in a closed container or cup of water

Cars and Other Combustion Engines

  • Do not park a hot car on dry grass

  • Do not allow gasoline or motor oil to spill on grass or other vegetation

Wildfire

Actions

Individual Actions

  1. Use social media to spread awareness about fire safety

  2. Sign and share petitions about wildfire prevention and forest management

  3. Create defensible space around your property 

  4. Participate in citizen science programs that monitor forest health and fire risks

  5. Support and donate to organizations focused on forest conservation and fire prevention

Local Actions

  1. Attend local city or county council meetings to uplift comprehensive wildfire prevention ordinances and voice support for local vegetation management initiatives

  2. Support funding for local fire departments and other fire prevention resources

State and Federal Actions

  1. Contact state legislators or congresspeople to support increased funding for wildfire prevention and forest management programs

  2. Support environmental and conservation groups that raise awareness about wildfire risks

  3. Support comprehensive national forest management policies

Ready to test your knowledge? Take the quiz below!

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