Implications of the California Wildfires for Health, Communities, and Preparedness

California and other wildfire-prone western states have experienced a substantial increase in the number and intensity of wildfires in recent years. Wildlands and climate experts expect these trends to continue and quite likely to worsen in coming years. Wildfires and other disasters can be particularly devastating for vulnerable communities. Members of these communities tend to experience worse health outcomes from disasters, have fewer resources for responding and rebuilding, and receive less assistance from state, local, and federal agencies. Because burning wood releases particulate matter and other toxicants, the health effects of wildfires extend well beyond burns. In addition, deposition of toxicants in soil and water can result in chronic as well as acute exposures.On June 4-5, 2019, four different entities within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop titled Implications of the California Wildfires for Health, Communities, and Preparedness at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. The workshop explored the population health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and health equity consequences of increasingly strong and numerous wildfires, particularly in California. This publication is a summary of the presentations and discussion of the workshop.Table of ContentsFront Matter1 Introduction and Overview2 California Wildfires: Past and Future3 Populations Impacted by Wildfires4 Effects of Wildfires on Human Health5 The Trials of Recovery6 Enhancing Operational Response7 The Impact of Mitigation and Preparedness8 Reflections on the WorkshopReferencesAppendix A: Workshop Statement of TaskAppendix B: Workshop AgendaAppendix C: Speaker and Planning Committee Biosketches