This paper on PM2.5 pollution caused by wildfires estimates the number of Americans killed by wildfires—not the fire itself but the fine particulate pollution in the smoky air. It has implications for New Zealanders and it’s worrying.
“We estimate a total of 52,480 to 55,710 premature deaths are attributable to wildland fire PM2.5 over the 11-year period with respect to two exposure scenarios, equating to an economic impact of $432 to $456 billion … wildfires account for a greater mortality and economic burden than indicated by earlier studies.
“… studies have largely found that exposure to PM2.5 due to wildfires has substantial impacts on mortality and resulting economic burdens, with adverse effects reported in North America … One long-term analysis in Canada found that the estimated economic impact for chronic health effects over a 5-year period was between $4 billion and $19 billion annually, associated with 570 to 2500 annual attributable premature deaths across the population of more than 35 million individuals.”
New Zealand’s wildfire risk is increasing and some regions are facing big jumps in the number of high-risk fire days annually. Christchurch remains the biggest concern, at the junction of fire hot spots and population density. FENZ has released its Climate Response Strategy 2022-2030 (in full and a summary). It’s sobering reading.
High-grade filters in mechanical ventilation systems will protect homeowners from fine particulates. But they can’t save us from the fire fronts. Wildfires are another climate change-related emergency.
Reference
Rachel Connolly et al., Mortality attributable to PM2.5from wildland fires in California from 2008 to 2018.Sci. Adv.10,eadl1252(2024).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adl1252