Recent discussions and studies have highlighted the growing concern over wildfires in the US, exacerbated by climate change. Experts argue that suppressing wildfires could worsen the situation, advocating instead for a reevaluation of firefighting strategies. This comes as the US faces larger and more complex wildfires, prompting a need for changes in the firefighting workforce. The importance of providing wildland firefighters with a living wage, benefits, and research into health impacts from smoke exposure is emphasized, given the increasing severity and frequency of fires. Christopher Benz, a former wildfire fighter, highlights the endangered status of wildfire fighters. A new paper by NBER points out the overlooked mortality burden from wildfire smoke under current air quality regulations. Training for firefighters is being ramped up across various departments to prepare for the busy wildfire season ahead, with forecasts predicting elevated fire risks in multiple regions, including the Great Lakes, Midwest, Southwest, and Hawaii, after more than 2,669 sq miles were charred in the first three months of the year. Meanwhile, New Jersey reports a better outlook this fire season due to above-average rainfall, though officials caution that climate change has extended the wildfire season.
FYI: The Henderson Fire Department is making sure the community is ready for an emergency during their upcoming lifesaver training class. https://t.co/TyyumnCzfH
N.J. is faring better this fire season compared to last year due to above-average rainfall. But officials urge residents to be wary. Climate change has extended the state’s wildfire season, starting as early as February and ending as late as July. https://t.co/0Lw0ZGZCC9
Coming to a forest near you? "in the first 3 months of the year, more than 2,669 sq miles were charred in the US... forecasters are predicting elevated risk of fires over coming months in the Great Lakes region, parts of the Midwest, Southwest & in HI. https://t.co/oU8LStFKIC
The Henderson Fire Department is making sure the community is ready for an emergency during their upcoming lifesaver training class. https://t.co/TyyumnCzfH
The cadets of Class 202 are busy at the Philadelphia Fire Academy learning a variety of ways to save lives and put out fires. Recently, they've been working on fire drills, hose and ladder carries, and carrying dummies through corrugated drain pipes. #PFDstrongertogether https://t.co/KTfEd5CpUn
US wildfires are getting bigger and more complex, prompting changes in firefighting workforce https://t.co/9sYJI1f6MJ https://t.co/sBGoFm9j2x
My colleagues new paper on wildfire smoke driven mortality is eye opening for people who worry about US air quality. Right now these emissions do not “count” under the clean air act. Mortality Burden From Wildfire Smoke Under Climate Change | NBER https://t.co/XhV6qBzn5n
Wildfire fighters deserve a living wage, benefits and research into what the smoke is doing to their health, broth short- and long-term. This need is urgent as climate change just makes the fires bigger, more severe, more deadly, and more relentless. https://t.co/PIuUVOCa3r
Wildfire fighters are an endangered species. And that’s dangerous, writes Christopher Benz, who fought wildfires in the Pacific Northwest for six years. https://t.co/mvsL0QTt8S
Preparing for a busy wildfire season, a look inside wildland firefighter training https://t.co/CNwoan8H7c https://t.co/FhvwSmHRnU
Wildfires have made a lot of headlines recently. Climate change, they say, has made them worse. But some ecologists now say that suppressing wildfires is a bad idea and will just make things worse. https://t.co/LRrn6naElt