Wildfire And Its Smoke Causing Health Concerns

Have you ever seen yard after yard of forests in tremendous fire? Well, such a type of fire in forests is known as wildfire. Wildfire has quite a negative effect on the overall environment. This is because when a wildfire breaks out in the forest, it not only pollutes the air in the surrounding areas but also destroys trees and wildlife, affecting the total biosphere of the forest. The smoke that originates after a wildfire breaks out, can consist of a lot of harmful gases that are dangerous to both terrestrial animals and human beings. Apart from high levels of air pollution, the gases that come out of wildfire smoke can cause a lot of health issues among human beings, especially attacking their respiratory tract. As a result of this, different types of breathing problems might develop, which may include shortness of breath or breathlessness, high rates of infections in the respiratory tract, allergic reactions, and so on.

When a person is exposed to wildfire smoke for a long period of time, then the risks of these diseases gradually increase, and the health issues may become severe, so much so, that one can also develop carcinogenic health issues. So, it is important to know in detail about wildfire and the damaging effects it can have on your overall health. so, read this article till the end and get a complete idea of what kind of effects the smoke from wildfire can have on human health.

In which ways do wildfire smoke affect the air conditions?

When a wildfire occurs, the dense cloud-like smoke that comes out of forests consists of a lot of poisonous gases and other harmful elements (chemical particles as well) that damage the quality of air and result in intense air pollution. The hazardous gases that come out of the smoke of wildfire consist of tiny molecules of damaging particles of different compositions and sizes, which are known as particulate matter in scientific terms and range from PM10 to PM2.5 (or often PM0.1). These types of particulate matter (or PM) cause great damage to human respiratory health because these matters are very harmful to breathe. Besides these, there are different other types of fatal toxins that are present in these gases and these toxic chemicals in these gases can lead to more degradation of the air quality. Not just the surrounding air is affected by this smoke, when this toxic air travels to distant villages, cities, and localities, then the air conditions of those areas are affected as well, and this air pollution from wildfire smoke also damages human health.

What are the ways in which smoke from wildfire affects human health?

The toxic particles that are present in the smoke that arise from wildfires are harmful to human health. The small particles that are present in the smoke can cause breathing issues among people who live in nearby areas. If a human being breathes in these harmful components that come out of the wildfire smoke, then they cause damage to the lung cells as they travel deep inside through the blood vessels. The most common side effects of wildfire smoke on human health are irritation in the eyes, wheezing, coughing, and problems breathing. The other health effects that one might suffer from, involve cardiac and cardiovascular health effects, such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, cardiac arrest, and so on. Besides these, the harmful particles present in this smoke can also increase the risks of developing lethal conditions like COVID-19.

Who needs to take special care of health from wildfire smoke?

People who have allergic tendencies and respiratory health issues are most likely to be affected by the harmful particles that are present in wildfire smoke. So, these people need to take extra care. Apart from them, people who are at major risk of developing health issues from wildfire smoke include children, aged people, outdoor workers, people who suffer from cardiac and lung diseases, and pregnant women and new mothers. It is also important for you to consult with a healthcare expert when it comes to the matter of chronic health and respiratory issues that might occur because of inhaling the harmful particles of wildfire smoke. You should also consider seeking professional help or any expert opinion possible if you notice that your body is developing symptoms of respiratory, lung, or cardiac damage, which in fact, is a common problem when you have health problems in your lungs and/or heart.

What are the best steps to take in case of a wildfire emergency?

There are certain important steps that you need to follow when wildfire emergencies arise. Some of those steps can be listed here as follows:

• Try to follow alerts that come from local officials and people at authorities if you live near areas of active wildfire
• Decide for evacuation beforehand for your families and seek help in emergencies when wildfire occurs
• It is important to take care of the fact that you have all the necessary medications nearby, along with food and water; seek immediate help when wildfire proves to be disastrous
• Check the smoke and fire map daily, especially when you swell in areas that are prone to wildfire.

What are the ways to avoid health risks in case you are in areas of poor air quality?

When you are living in areas that are prone to wildfire, then it is vital to follow certain ways to avoid the health risks occurring from wildfire smoke. Some of the most common steps that you must follow to get rid of health risks resulting from wildfire smoke are given below:

1. Try to carry an air purifier: It is important to carry an air purifier, even if there is no prior forecast of wildfire in the areas because such protection will allow you to clear the surrounding air from harmful pollutants. Remember, it is preferable not to use air cleaners that generate ozone because that is a harmful pollutant as well.

2. Be careful of the air quality: Stay aware of the quality of air around you and make sure that it is not polluted from wildfire smoke. There are sites to check real-time air quality and risks of air pollution, so try to check those it is suggested to keep doors and windows closed if you find that the air quality around you is poor and prevent outdoor activities if possible.

3. Try not to create indoor pollution: Do not create air pollution inside your home, for instance, stop smoking, burning things, or vacuuming inside your home, because these activities can create indoor pollution. Make sure that all your rooms are spacious and well-ventilated.

4. Keep your room clean and tidy: Try to keep your room clean and make sure there is a safe air purifier that fits the size of your room and allows you to breathe freely, especially if you do not have a central air conditioning machine to keep the room cool.

5. Lower the outdoor time and put on a mask when outside: It is safe and easy to protect yourself if you use a mask when you are outside. Try not to stay outside for long durations when there is wildfire smoke and wear masks after consulting with your healthcare experts. It is preferable to wear an N-95 mask for complete protection from pollutants.

If you stay in an area that is near wildfire-prone zones or if there is any wildfire, the smoke of which is polluting your locality, then there are certain vital ways that you need to follow, such as:

1. Reduce the time you spend outside:

Try to reduce the time you spend outside your house, especially when there are toxic particles in the air because of wildfire smoke. Even if you must go out to work or get outside to do something truly important, experts usually advise cutting short your outdoor timing when there is wildfire smoke.

2. Make a plan for emergencies and crises:

Wildfires are unprecedented and if you do not have a plan for managing such emergencies and crisis situations of wildfire, then situations in case of wildfire may become worse and you can have an immense effect on your respiratory health. Try to keep an eye on the levels of AQI in your localities, especially if you live in a zone where air pollution truly has become unsafe.

3. Take care of your respiratory health:

Make sure that your lungs are in good condition and if there is air pollution in your localities, it is better to stay away from those areas.