Implications of Wildfires

As a cause of climate change from humanitarian actions, an increase in intense heat and vegetation has occurred, and has been going on for months now. Wildfires are prone to appear in areas with those conditions, especially when there is strong wind present. Areas such as California and British Columbia (which had 1,577 wildfires as of september 30th), are forested, and as such, are more likely to instigate a wildfire.

What is the reason for urgency?

Wildfires, while already causing an influx in air pollution, are predicted to increase in intensity and hazard as climate change itself, expands. As this happens, smoke particles that originate from these fires carry larger quantities of organic chemicals, known as brown carbon. Brown carbon will absorb sunlight, and contribute to global warming. The irony of wildfires is that they’re caused by climate change and cause climate change. However despite this, their brown carbon eventually becomes bleached, and stops absorbing sunlight, but this can take a long time—meaning there is no guarantee on wildfires’ lack of impact on global warming.

Even while harming the environment, wildfires harm people. There are various illnesses that can occur from wildfires, ranging from nonurgent to requiring medical attention. Here is a list of what might occur:

• Runny nose

• Scratchy throat

• Irritated sinuses

• Headaches

• Cough

• Asthma

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Exacerbation bronchitis

• Pneumonia

• Cardiovascular diseases

What can you do to prevent them ? Keep these in mind…

• Campfires should only be started in the appropriate pit, make sure to clear off all vegetation nearby.

• Never leave a fire unsupervised.

• Before leaving, make sure the fire is gone out completely

• Never start a fire on a windy day

• When smoking, only dispose of buds in closed containers or containers of water.

• Do not burn garbage unless it is permitted

• Do not purchase combustible material

• When lighting fireworks, make sure to have a source of extinguisher nearby.

• Do not put anything hot on dry grass, especially hot cars.

• Do not spill gasoline on any vegetation