Science Inventory

Respiratory Impacts of Wildland Fire Smoke: Future Challenges and Policy Opportunities. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report

Citation:

Rice, M., S. Henderson, A. Lambert, K. Cromar, J. Hall, W. Cascio, P. Smith, B. Marsh, S. Coefield, J. Balmes, A. Kamal, Ian Gilmour, C. Carlsten, K. Navarro, G. Collman, A. Rappold, M. Miller, S. Stone, AND D. Costa. Respiratory Impacts of Wildland Fire Smoke: Future Challenges and Policy Opportunities. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. American Thoracic Society, New York, NY, 18(6):921-930, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202102-148ST

Impact/Purpose:

Wildland fires include both wildfires (unplanned) and prescribed fires (planned). Millions of people each year are exposed to wildland fire smoke, often repeatedly within a fire season. The expansion of the wildland-urban interface and influx of people into fire-prone areas further increases risk. Wildfires are increasing in severity, causing a deterioration in air quality in the western US and elsewhere. With evidence that the wildfire season is lengthening, in part due to climate change and its effect on fuel conditions, this trend is expected to continue.

Description:

Wildland fires are diminishing air quality on a seasonal and regional basis, raising concerns about respiratory health risks to the public and occupational groups. This American Thoracic Society (ATS) workshop was convened to meet the growing health threat of wildland fire smoke. The workshop brought together a multi-disciplinary group of experts, including wildland fire managers, public health officials, epidemiologists, toxicologists, and pediatric and adult pulmonologists. The workshop examined four major topics: (1) the science of wildland fire incidence and fire management, (2) the respiratory and cardiovascular health effects of wildland fire smoke exposure, (3) communication strategies to address these health risks, and (4) policies to address wildland fire health impacts. Through formal presentations followed by group discussion, workshop participants identified top priorities for fire management, research, communication and public policy to address health risks of wildland fires. The workshop concluded that short-term exposure to wildland smoke causes acute respiratory health effects, especially among those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research is needed to understand long-term health effects of repeated smoke exposures across fire seasons for children, adults and highly exposed occupational groups (especially firefighters). Other research priorities include fire data collection and modeling, toxicology of different fire fuel sources, and the efficacy of health protective measures to prevent respiratory effects of smoke exposure. The workshop committee recommends a unified Federal response to the growing problem of wildland fires, including investment in fire behavior and smoke air quality modeling, research on the health impacts of smoke, and the development of robust clinical and public health communication tools.