Alistair Hayden

Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health

Alistair Hayden, a professor of practice in public and ecosystem health and a former division chief at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, says many more people die from wildfire smoke than from the fire itself.

Hayden says:

“Many of these wildfire-smoke deaths occur during the wildfire, and additional deaths can occur even years later. These significant impacts, which often occur far from fire-prone areas, upend conventional ideas of who is at risk of wildfire.

“A recent study even calculated that Florida and New York are among the states with the most wildfire-smoke-related deaths, due to long-distance transport of smoke into dense populations. 

“We need additional national policy solutions to this national issue. A good start would be to incorporate smoke impacts across wildfire policy so that critical funding and decision-making information reaches impacted communities and the first responders who protect them. 

“Individuals can protect themselves from wildfire smoke and other air pollution with air cleaners, including low-cost DIY versions called Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes. Communities can protect their residents with resilience hubs that maintain clean indoor air.”