Government agencies and scientists agree that North America is likely to face bigger and longer-lasting wildfires in the coming decades. Public health agencies and researchers are concerned that smoke from these fires can affect health far beyond the immediate area burned, often travelling hundreds and thousands of miles at concentrations high enough to affect health. There is growing evidence that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have long-term effects on the heart and other organs. This report looks at some of these impacts and some of the scientific efforts being used to track and model smoke plumes and predict where the threats are highest. At the same time, health officials are refining how they act to alert and protect residents at risk with masks, clean air shelters and other steps.
