Background and Context

The indirect public health impact of smoke from wildfire is less visible, but larger than the direct impact of wildfires on life and health. A 2020 Stanford study suggests that wildfire smoke is responsible for up to 15,000 deaths a year in the United States, with an even higher death toll occurring during exceptionally smoky years such as 2020 and 2021. When buildings burn, carcinogens such as asbestos are released, impacting first responders and anyone involved in post-fire recovery efforts. Evidence suggests that the elderly and vulnerable are most affected by smoke-related mortality (Aguilera et al, 2021).

Limiting the potential size and duration of fires through better forest management can reduce the health impacts of wildfire smoke. As both the Stanford study and the Good Fire Report note, emissions from prescribed and cultural burns are under significant regulatory control, while wildfire emissions are considered an “exceptional event” emission source under the Clean Air Act. Thus beneficial fire is limited due to its potential impact on air quality and human health, without recognizing that its emissions are significantly lower than the emissions from large conflagrations. In addition, air quality impacts must be included and mitigated (when possible) in prescribed fire burn and smoke management plans, and planned burns can be coordinated so vulnerable community members can prepare and take precautions. Even with improved forest stewardship, wildfires and the resultant smoke are unavoidable. When fires do ignite, public smoke impacts must be minimized by increasing air quality monitoring, educating the public on smoke health risks, and providing clean-air shelters and other alternatives for at-risk residents.