VANCOUVER - A recent study estimates that smoke from the record-breaking Canadian wildfires in 2023 resulted in approximately 5,400 acute deaths and around 82,100 premature deaths globally. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, highlight the significant health impacts of wildfire smoke, which the study describes as leading to an "enormous and far-reaching" health burden.

Michael Brauer, a Canadian co-author and professor at the University of British Columbia, emphasized the study's implications, calling it a "wake-up call" for regions that have not previously experienced prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke. He noted that the health effects are expected to worsen as climate change continues to escalate. "While there is room for improved forest management and fire suppression, we're still going to get a lot of smoke," Brauer said. "So we need to learn how to live with it. I do believe we can live with it."

The research team utilized various computer models and data sources to estimate deaths linked to PM2.5, a type of particulate pollution from the wildfires. Of the estimated 82,100 premature deaths, 64,300 occurred in North America and Europe, including 33,000 in the United States and 8,300 in Canada. The study indicates that these figures represent 0.9 percent of total PM2.5-related deaths worldwide in 2023.

Brauer explained that the chronic effects of wildfire smoke can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, potentially leading to earlier mortality. He noted that the period from June 26 to July 7, 2023, was particularly hazardous, contributing to an estimated 5,400 acute deaths in the U.S. and Canada.

The study also revealed that the chronic health impacts of wildfire smoke are significantly greater than acute effects, which include increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations during smoke events. Brauer pointed out that severe wildfire seasons are becoming more frequent due to climate change, stating, "We're seeing, with a warmer climate, that we're getting kind of record or close-to-record fire seasons repeatedly every summer. That's going to contribute to increased numbers of people dying prematurely."

In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with over 6,000 fires burning 150,000 square kilometers. This year is noted as the second-worst season, with more than 83,000 square kilometers affected. The study found that Canadian wildfires accounted for 13 percent of global fire-related exposure to fine particulate matter, with smoke spreading across North America and western Europe.

Brauer explained that while the smoke reaching parts of Europe was not highly concentrated, it impacted densely populated areas. The researchers identified "Canada smoke days," during which PM2.5 concentrations exceeded World Health Organization guidelines. The study found that 354 million people in North America and Europe were exposed to at least one of these smoke days in 2023. In Canada, 98 percent of the population experienced such a day, averaging 27.1 smoke days per person.

In the United States, approximately 267 million people were affected, while 47.7 million people in Europe experienced smoke days, a number exceeding Canada's total population. The study identified smoke hotspots in Canada, including the James Bay region of Quebec and large areas of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. In the U.S., smoke spread over the Rocky Mountains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and northeastern states, while in Europe, Spain, Italy, and France were notably impacted.

Brauer urged officials to consider public health measures to protect individuals during smoke events, suggesting that changes might be necessary for summer camps, concerts, or sporting events. He stated, "There's a lot of room to sort of improve the response."

The study also referenced previous research on the health impacts of wildfire smoke in other regions, noting significant annual death tolls in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America due to chronic wildfire smoke exposure. The authors concluded that further epidemiological studies are urgently needed to better understand the health impacts of wildfire smoke compared to other air pollution sources.