Topic: Social and Community Impacts of Fire

The increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of wildland fires is a significant source of air pollution that can impact perinatal outcomes. This study assessed associations between wildfire fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and adverse birth weight outcomes among…

Background

In response to record-breaking wildfire seasons worldwide, wildfire researchers are increasingly called upon to conduct research to better understand the drivers and impacts of “megafires.” However, there is limited attention to the mental health risks and…

Efforts to understand, assess, and address diversifying recovery needs have growing relevance as wildfires continue to impact communities. However, little is known about social experiences navigating gaps in assistance funding and support or “unmet needs” in post-fire spaces, particularly for…

Rapid, well‑coordinated aerial response can be an effective way to limit wildfire growth during the initial‑response period. To date, most studies of wildland fire aviation effectiveness have relied on data from aircraft provided by the United States Forest Service, while other agencies…

Wildfires are a source of air pollution, including PM_2.5. Exposure to PM_2.5 from wildfire smoke is associated with adverse health effects including premature death and respiratory morbidity. Air quality modeling was performed to quantify seasonal wildfire-PM_2.5…

Chronic health effects of wildfire PM_2.5 on neurodevelopmental outcomes are largely unknown. Therefore, the effects of wildfire PM_2.5 on autism were assessed in a southern California-based pregnancy cohort using Cox proportional hazard models. Exposure was estimated from…

Background

Despite growing attention to wildland firefighter safety, little is known about the full scope of environmental health hazards experienced occupationally. Previous research has documented exposures to carcinogens and combustion byproducts from smoke, dust,…

Background

Rural communities are increasingly impacted by smoke produced by wildfires and forest management activties. Understanding local influences on smoke adaptation and mitigation is critical to social adaptation as fire risk continues to rise.

Aims…

The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires released large amounts of air pollutants and exposed millions of residents to smoke containing hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To assess exposure risks, we conducted indoor and outdoor VOCs sampling at 22 households near the Palisades and Eaton…

Background

Effective forest fuel reduction treatments reduce hazardous fuel conditions, wildfire behavior and severity. It has been suggested and partially quantitatively analyzed that these treatments may also reduce future wildfire emissions, but this potential is…