Location: British Columbia and Washington State
Description: Wildfire smoke is a growing source of air pollution, largely driven by increasing temperatures, a longer snow-free season(s), changes in precipitation levels, the change and drying of vegetation and increased frequency of lightning. In British Columbia, the year 2017 was declared the biggest smoke year ever, but 2018 may prove to exceed 2017. Smoke is a respiratory irritant and there is a well established relationship between poor air quality and increased hospitalization for cardiovascular and respiratory events (Henderson et al 2011, Elliott et al 2013, and Yao et al 2016). Tracking the range of wildfire smoke is important for identifying communities that are impacted, and the vulnerability to smoke. It is the first step towards developing effective interventions to provide adequate refuge and care for residents suffering from harmful levels of wildfire smoke.
Observing Protocols: Observers are asked to share observations of wildfire smoke events when they occur, and to share images and comments about the severity, duration and impacts of smoke on their community.
Inputs: LEO Network Observations
Outputs: LEO Network observations will be added to the project map. Observations will be used to identify and evaluate community vulnerability to wildfire smoke and for evaluation of potential prevention and adaptation measures.
Webinar on Wildfire Smoke and Health in BC (Video recording): Kathleen McLean, Environmental Health Scientist with BC Centre for Disease Control presented a LEO Network BC Monthly Webinar on Wildfire Smoke and Health in BC on 26 September 2017.
Resources:
FireWork smoke forecasting model
BlueSky Canada Smoke Forecasting System Smoke Forecast models for Western Canada
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Lead Organization
BC Centre for Disease Control |
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Lead Organization
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) |
Kathleen McLean ConsultantVancouver British Columbia, Canada
Environmental health scientist Environmental health
BC Centre for Disease Control
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Fight fire with fire: How First Nations practice of burning the land helps prevent megafiresOkanagan Region, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 17, 2017
CBC News
Event
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Wildfires burn in the CaribooAlexandria, British Columbia, Canada
Aug 19, 2010
Event
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Air Quality Advisory due to WildfiresKamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Aug 3, 2017
Event
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Indigenous fire clearing could prevent future wildfire infernosPeachland, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 20, 2017
Metro Vancouver
Event
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Hundreds of firefighters battling largest wildfire ever recorded in B.C.Chilcotin Plateau, British Columbia
Aug 22, 2017
CBC News
Event
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Dense Smoke Over Bellingham BayBellingham, Washington, United States
Aug 3, 2017
Event
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Thick smoke in the Alberni Valley, lasting daysPort Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Aug 15, 2018
Event
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Jolly Mountain Fire threatens 3,800 homes, unhealthy levels of smoke hit YakimaJolly Mountain
Sep 2, 2017
Yakima Herald-Republic
Event
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Nuclear town on fire, with residents 'choking' from smokeZheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Apr 25, 2017
Siberian Times
Event
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L.A. Area Wildfire Spurs Hundreds Of Evacuations, Smoke Keeps Others IndoorsBrace Canyon, Burbank, California, United States
Sep 2, 2017
NPR.org
Event
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Irritating smoke from wildfires choking US West, turning lives upside downCalifornia
Sep 2, 2017
Fox News
Event
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Canada's British Columbia battles wildfires100 Mile House
Jul 9, 2017
BBC News
Event
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Evacuation alert issued for wildfire near LumbyLumby, British Columbia, Canada
May 24, 2017
CBC News
Event
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Another 1,500 evacuated from Manitoba First Nation due to wildfireGarden HiIl First Nation
Sep 2, 2017
CBC News
Event
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A New Trend On The Great Plains: More WildfiresPine Ridge, Nebraska, United States
Jul 3, 2017
KUNC
Event
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Lingering B.C. wildfire smoke puts children, elderly at riskBritish Columbia, Canada
Aug 20, 2018
The Star
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Wildfire smoke leads to weather alert on Vancouver IslandVancouver Island, BC, Canada
Sep 5, 2017
Victoria News
Event
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No end in sight for B.C. wildfires, one month since state of emergency declaredKamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Aug 8, 2017
Yukon News
Event
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How smoky skies from wildfires is affecting mental healthBritish Columbia, Canada
Aug 21, 2018
CBC
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