Wildfire Smoke in California Releases Dangerous Particulate Matter, Impacting Indigenous Communities [Study]

Wildfires in California have been common in recent years, affecting not only vegetation and remote ecosystems but also vulnerable towns and other communities surrounded by the wilderness. Wildland fires, including bushfires or forest fires, have also disrupted daily activities and travel, as the blazes pose dangerous health risks to the public. Recently, scientists also found that wildfire smoke poses a threat even to indigenous people.

In a new study, researchers found that indigenous communities have been exposed to "dangerous particulate matter" coming from the California wildfire smoke for more than a decade. The inhalation or exposure to these toxic airborne particles. In previous research, the prevalence of wildfire smoke across the state contributes to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

California Wildfire Smoke

Findings about the California wildfire smoke and its impact to indigenous communities across the state has been published in the journal PNAS on February 13. In the study, researchers from various institutions across the United States explored the long-term exposure of people to wildfire particulate matter (PM2.5) in California. They concluded these particles "disproportionately" affect disadvantaged US communities.

The authors of the research article determined these communities experienced long-term exposure from wildfire smoke between the years 2006 and 2020, which is beyond what has been previously known. The article's data analysis revealed Native American, Alaska Native, multi-racial, and non-Hispanic white populations have been consistently exposed to disproportionate outdoor wildfire particulate matter.

The February 2024 study highlights that there are various factors that amplify disparities involving indigenous communities such as behavioral, housing, occupational, or economic constraints. One of the research paper's co-author Rachel Morello-Frosch, from the University of California, stated it is important to understand this matter because millions of people nationwide are experiencing toxic smoke from wildfires, worsened by climate change.

To arrive at their conclusion, researchers used a novel series of metrics that can significantly assess prolonged, community-level smoke exposure. Below are the metrics that helped the paper determine the correlation between wildfire smoke and vulnerable indigenous communities:

• weeks with wildfire PM2.5
• days with non-zero wildfire PM2.5
• mean wildfire PM2.5 on highest week of exposure
• smoke waves equal or greater than 2 consecutive days with wildfire PM2.5
• mean annual wildfire PM2.5 concentration

Is Climate Change Fuelling Wildfires?

It was mentioned earlier that the intensification of wildfires is caused by climate change. Previously, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explored the concept of wildfire climate connection, citing that the natural phenomenon has fuelled the increased risk and scope of wildfires in the western US over the past 20 years. The climate event also includes "increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere."

The NOAA also cited and supported the conclusion of a 2021 study that climate change is the "main driver" for the strengthening of fire weather conditions in the western US, which includes California and other wildfire-stricken regions.