Wildfires Cause Long-Term Health Problems in Communities

Wildfires can cause much damage. They burn land, destroy homes, and kill people. New studies show the health costs of wildfires are also very high.

One fire was in Maui, Hawaii, in August 2023. It was a very deadly fire in the US. Another fire was in Los Angeles earlier this year; both had many health consequences.

The Maui fire killed over 100 people directly. Many people also had lung problems after. Some people felt sad or depressed; more people died by suicide or overdose after the fire.

The Los Angeles fire caused at least 30 deaths. Over 400 more people may have died because of it. Health care was stopped, and other things made people sick and potentially led to death.

One study looked at lung health after the Maui fire. Many people had problems breathing later on. Wildfire smoke can be dangerous because it burns many bad things, affecting people's health.