Wildfire

Wildfire season varies across the U.S. As climate change drives longer, more intense fire seasons nationwide, once-localized risks now threaten public health, ecosystems, and air quality across the country.

Air pollution in the U.S. rises significantly during the Fourth of July due to fireworks, increased travel, and backyard grilling. Sustainable celebrations and air quality monitoring can help lessen the harmful impact.

An examination of wildfire seasons in North America over the past decade reveals how climate change and human activity are driving more frequent and intense fires.

Natural sources such as wildfires, volcanoes, and sandstorms emit air pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, sometimes affecting human health and the climate.

Carbon Monoxide, formed by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, is invisible, odorless, and poisonous. It contributes indirectly to climate change and is regulated globally.

Air quality has improved significantly since the LA fires began, and regular activities can be resumed. Yet, ash should be cleaned up by professionals and precautions may need to be taken near burn areas. Some toxic air pollutants may linger.

Implementing wildfire prevention strategies at the individual and agency levels, establishing resilient air quality monitoring networks, and understanding how severely wildfire and poor air quality impact our national parks can help preserve them.

We asked Drew Hill, Data Science & Applied Research Lead at Aethlabs to help us take a deep dive into black carbon air pollution, exploring the science behind this air pollutant, its origins, its impacts, and the urgency & importance of accurate black carbon measurement.

Research shows that wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles and, in addition to its well-known detrimental impacts on human health in the short term, may also have cumulative effects. Consequently, it is essential to establish a real-time air quality monitoring network to understand pollution exposure during wildfire season.

Our recent webinar highlights the innovative work of our partners that has been used to establish high-resolution air quality monitoring networks and collect, communicate, and forecast air quality information during wildfire season.