Due to climate change and current land management practices, wildfires in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere are increasing in size, frequency, and destructiveness. Many of these fires occur at the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where developed and wildland areas overlap. As communities expand into previously undeveloped regions, this poses a heightened risk of catastrophic fires.
Unlike traditional wildfires, WUI fires result partly from burning human-made structures like homes and vehicles alongside natural vegetation, creating unique public health challenges. The National Academies Consensus Study Report On The Chemistry of Fires at the Wildland-Urban Interface assesses current and necessary chemical data that policymakers can utilize to mitigate the impact of WUI fires and associated health risks.
The study report highlights the primary fuels of concern in WUI fires, particularly household materials like siding, insulation, and plastics. It examines key exposure pathways such as inhalation and ingestion and identifies at-risk communities. Further, it suggests a research agenda to improve strategies for responding to and preventing WUI fires, stressing the importance of fuel characterization and emissions prediction.
More in the next post about climate change, climate risk, and fires at the wildland-urban interface or “WUI”…
(Source: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/26460/interactive)
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