Wildfires pose a significant risk to human health. In some cases, the proximity to the fire itself may cause immediate injury and damage to housing infrastructure. A majority of the risk comes from exposure to smoke or other byproducts of combustion. Wildfire smoke contains air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, other organic chemicals and particulate matter. As fires move into the area between human development and open land (i.e. the wildland-urban interface) homes and other structures burned release additional toxic chemicals into the air that can also have impacts on human health.

Particulate matter is the greatest health concern related to wildfires. Fine particulates (PM_2.5) in wildfire smoke are associated with a range of health effects including excess deaths and respiratory outcomes such as reduced lung function, bronchitis and the worsening of asthma. 

Learn more about how wildfires throughout the state and beyond affect environmental and human health in Durham in the Wildfires section of the 2023 Durham County Community Health Assessment.  

Source: 2023 Durham Community Health Assessment - Chapter 11

During November 2016, a wildfire ravaged the Asheville, NC area producing hazardous levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from the smoke. This smoke traveled approximately 225 miles from Asheville to Durham, prompting an “unhealthy for sensitive populations” (orange) air quality health alert. This indicates that wildfires are a health issue for Durham even if they are located hundreds of miles away.

Wildfires also pose an environmental justice challenge, as many studies suggest that those living in locations with low socioeconomic status are at an increased risk of illness due to expsoure to wildfire smoke.

Climate Change and Wildfires 

According to the 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report, “it is likely that future severe droughts in their multiple forms in North Carolina will be more frequent and intense due to higher temperatures leading to increased evaporation…[and] as a result, it is likely that the frequency of climate conditions conducive to wildfires in North Carolina will increase.”