The news is blowing up over the different wildfires that are burning out in California. However, most people do not realize that the wildfires in California are affecting people all across the nation. The smoke that is coming from the fires is traveling across the nation and causing many people to get sick. How can I prevent sickness? How does the smoke travel? These questions are the reasons why we decided to dig deep and see exactly how much wildfires affect people’s health not only in the state, but all across the nation.
After doing some research, I have decided that there was three main things to inform you on. The first one is the dangers of smoke and how the smoke will affect you. As many people know smoke causes lung damage, but that is not what most people are worried about. Many people are worried about breathing in ash that comes within the smoke. That ash contains tiny particles that can not only get into your bloodstream but can cause: heart attack, strokes, and for pregnant women premature babies. Smoke is made up of many different things. According to ABC News, smoke is made up of water vapor, small particles, and gases. “ However, there are added substances due to burning which are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, irritant volatile organic compounds, air toxics and very small particles” (ABC News). Many of these things are very harmful to the body and can not only cause temporary damage but can cause long term damage. Also, smoke travels and settles making it hard for firefighters and other brave men and women who are out there not be able to see the fire. There have been reports of smoke that has traveled all the way to Chicago from California.
Next, there is safety. The safety of wildfires and how to prepare is mainly common sense. HOwever, after some research there are some tips on how to keep your air purified and how to save special documents if a wildfire were to come near you. According to Ready.com you should keep doors and windows closed at all time and you SHOULD NOT run you air conditioner. You should refrain from using any gases inside the home and use fans as your cooling device. Keep a NIOSH certified-respirator for every member of you family. Make sure to clear all leaves and other fuel starters to the fire away from your house. This is knoes as a fire safe area. Then put all important documents and others belongings into a fire proof safe and put it somewhere that is easy to get to on the property in case you where to evacuate. A fireproof safe will keep all of your documents safe and if needed to evacuate try to grab the safe but if there is not enough time then when you are allowed back into the area you may go and retrieve your belongings.
Lastly, the effects that the fire causes not only to a family but to a community. When wildfires break out near your area, you have a fifty to fifty chance of not having to evacuate or having to evacuate. HOwever, if you are evacuated then it is very likely that your house or home that you live in may not be there when you are allowed back into the area. Also, when a wild fire breaks out they are not ten feet wide. These fires could get up to forty or even higher miles wide. This causes not only one family to be affected but it cause whole communities to be affected. Many insurance companies, families, and friends come together to help each other out when a disaster strikes.
Work Cited
- Cullinane, Susannah. “’I’m Not Giving up Hope.’ Search for the Missing Continues in California Wildfires.” CNN, Cable News Network, 12 Nov. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/11/12/us/california-wildfires-woolsey-camp-hill-missing/index.html.
- “How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke.” KQED, 9 Nov. 2018, www.kqed.org/science/1926793/protecting-your-health-from-toxic-wildfire-smoke.
- Tuma, Drew. “Smoke from California Wildfires Travels across US.” ABC7 San Francisco, 14 Nov. 2018, abc7news.com/weather/smoke-from-california-wildfires-travels-across-us/4683443/.
- “Wildfires.” Citizen Corps | Ready.gov, www.ready.gov/wildfires.
