Wildfire smoke is an insidious and growing public health threat

"Climate change is priming forests to burn more intensely, which means more harmful substances in soil, fuels, homes and whatever else burns going up in smoke - and potentially making their way into our lungs. All that smoke is projected to lead to tens of thousands more premature deaths in the coming years, according to a pair of eye-opening research papers published today in the journal Nature."

"Wildfire smoke is the air quality nightmare of our generation, eating away at previous gains made by cracking down on industrial emissions and tailpipe pollution. Constant exposure to smoke is becoming a chronic threat even in places that historically haven't had many wildfires."

Wildfire smoke is eroding gains in air quality achieved by reducing industrial emissions and vehicle pollution, and chronic smoke exposure is spreading into regions that historically experienced few wildfires. Climate change is increasing forest fire intensity, producing smoke that contains more harmful substances from soil, fuels, homes, and other burned materials. Modeling links rising smoke exposure to tens of thousands of additional premature deaths in coming years. Health risks can be reduced through clear actions such as emissions reductions, forest and land management, personal protective measures, and improved public-health preparedness. Effective risk reduction begins with recognizing climate change as a driver of worsening air quality and health harms.

Read at The Verge