Smoke From Wildfires: Public Information Tools

S.K. Sakiyama Institute of Semi-Retired

Liveable Cities Forum Victoria, B.C. Sept, 2017

Courtesy B. Avery www.nrcan.gc.ca/environment/resources/publications/impacts-adaptation/tools-guides/16283

Wildfires and Smoke

Wildfires: a threat to

thousands (lives, property)

Wildfire Smoke: can cover

huge areas, a health risk to

millions

Complex mix of gases and

particles…. including PM2.5

PM2.5: very tiny particles -

can travel deep into the

lungs and cross into the

bloodstreamJuly 24, 2014 (1630-1940 UTC) NASA MODIS Image

Wildfire Smoke Effects: Active Research

Health: associated with eye and

respiratory tract irritation, respiratory

health effects (specifically exacerbations

of asthma and COPD). Growing

evidence: increased risk of respiratory

infections, all-cause mortality….1,2,3

Susceptible (cited by Health

Agencies4,5,6): young, elderly, pre-

existing asthma and COPD….(more

studies needed1):

Socio-Economic: discomfort, loss of

recreational and work days, staying

indoors, evacuations, infrastructure

damage….costs can be huge 7

https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/wildfires-ara.html

Wildfire Smoke Public Information Tools

Where is it? Where will it be?

Health effects? Reduce exposure?

Information is needed to help inform decisions by the

public, health protection agencies and hospitals, fire

management agencies, all levels of government…….

Wildfire Smoke Forecasts

Air Quality Health Index

Air Quality Advisories and the Smoky Skies Bulletin

Interventions (Exposure Reduction)

openclipart.org/detail/180096/tool-box

Wildfire Smoke Forecasts

These forecasting systems predict the concentrations and

distribution of wildfire smoke up to two days in to the future.

In Canada, there are two such systems:

• BlueSky Canada: Multi-Agency and the University of B.C.

• FireWork: Environment and Climate Change Canada

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On-going collaboration between the two groups and the U.S.

BlueSky Team to improve forecasts.

Smoke Forecast Methodology

Fire Locations and Emissions: based on satellite detects and

an emissions model (Natural Resources Canada).

Weather Forecast: models produce future meteorological

conditions

Dispersion: models predict concentrations (PM2.5) each hour

up to 48 hours into the future.

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BlueSky Canada (www.firesmoke.ca)

Aug – early Sept 2017: 300,000 website sessions (visits)

Based on the U.S. BlueSky

framework, fitted with

Canadian components.

(BlueSky eh?)

Multi-Agency supported, run

at the University of B.C.

Since 2010, producing

forecast PM2.5 concentrations

due to wildfire smoke. Disclaimer: model output, experimental

research, use at your own risk.

http://www.firesmoke.ca/forecasts/viewer/run/ops/BSC-CA-01/2017082008/

FireWork (weather.gc.ca/firework/)

Environment and Climate

Change Canada added wildfire

smoke to their existing air

quality forecast model in 2014

FireWork used to support Air

Quality Health Index (AQHI)

forecasts.

BC Center for Disease Control:

Blend forecast with current

smoke data to forecast

population respiratory health.8

Note: based on estimated wildfire

emissions, which have a certain degree

of uncertainty. Interpret output

accordingly.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The AQHI is a tool to help understand what the outdoor air

quality means to your health and helps inform decisions on

actions to reduce your risk.9

It is calculated based on the relative health risks of a

combination of air pollutants: ground-level Ozone (O3),

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

9

The Index scale ranges from 1-10+. These are grouped into

categories that indicate the level of risk associated with the air.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)Canada Wide: weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/

Available at select communities across Canada. Based on

near-real time measurements of these pollutants at

provincial monitoring stations.

Current AQHI

airqualityontario.com/aqhi/locations.php

www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/aqhi-table.xml

Air Quality Health Index (Forecast)

The forecast AQHI is also available. It includes the forecast

contribution of pollutants from wildfire smoke.

This past summer, due to wildfire smoke some B.C.

communities experienced periods where the AQHI > 10+

(Very High Risk)

www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/central-okanagan-aqhi.xml

Air Quality Advisories: Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valleywww.metrovancouver.org/media-room/media-releases/Pages/default.aspx

Air Quality Advisories are issued when there is, or is expected

to be, air quality degradation over a significant portion of the

airshed. During wildfire smoke events, this determination is

based on monitoring data, satellite information, and smoke

forecasts.

Widely distributed, Air Quality Advisories describe the

immediate issue, the possible impacts, and what people can do

to protect themselves and improve air quality.10

13

https://gis.metrovancouver.org/maps/air/

Smoky Skies Bulletin (Outside of Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley)

Wildfire smoke can cover huge areas, and can change rapidly

in location and time. Outside Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley,

monitoring sites are limited so determining smoke levels are a

challenge.

Looks like smoke, smells like smoke, feels like smoke…..

Smoky Skies Bulletin: Issued when smoke concentrations in

an area have, or may, reach levels that are of concern for

human health.

This determination is based on satellite information, smoke

forecast models, visual sky conditions, first-hand reports, in

addition to actual measurements at local air quality stations.

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Smoky Skies Bulletin

Issued by B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy in

collaboration with the Local Health Authorities. It is widely

distributed and available from various sources including the

Environment Canada Weather Forecast page

Smoke in the area…will vary widely. “Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If

you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health

care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden

onset of cough or irritation of airways. Exposure is particularly a concern

for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions

such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.”

Wildfire Smoke Risk Reduction: Interventions

Advice on how to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke are

found in the AQHI, Air Quality Advisories, Smoky Skies

Bulletin. BC Centre for Disease Control11 list:

• Stay indoors and reduce outdoor physical activity

• Wear an N95 respirator

• Home clean air shelter

• Community clean air shelters

• Augmenting air filtration in institutions

• Cancel outdoor events

• Evacuation (last option)

Recent research:

“Portable Air Cleaners

should be at the

forefront of the public

health response” 2

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/niosh-ecd/Detail.aspx?id=33

Summary

Wildfire Smoke can affect the lives of millions of people

It poses a health risk and has socio-economic impacts.

To provide information to inform decisions, several

Information Tools are available, including:

• Smoke Forecasts: BlueSky Canada and FireWork

• Smoke Conditions, Health Risks, Smoke Risk

Reduction: Air Quality Health Index, Air Quality

Advisory, Smoky Skies Bulletin

Acknowledgements

• Kerry Anderson (Natural Resources Canada)

• R. Shigas (University of BC),

• D. Lyder (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource

Development),

• N. Suzuki, E. Taylor (BC Ministry of Environment and

Climate Change Strategy)

• S. Henderson (BC Center for Disease Control)

• J. Saxton (Metro Vancouver)

References1. Reid, C.E., Brauer, M., Johnston, F.H., Jerrett, M., Balmes, J.R., Eliiott, C.T. 2016.

Critical Review of Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Exposure. Env. Health

Prespectives. 124 (9)

2. Barn, P.K., Elliot, C.T., Allen, R.W., Kosastsky, T., Rideout, K., Henderson, S.B.

2016. Portable air cleaners should be at the forefront of public health response to

landscape fire smoke. Env. Health 2016 15:116

3. Adetona, O., Reinhardt, T.E. Domitrovich, J., Broyles, G., Adetona, A.M., Kleinman,

M.T. Mttmar, R.D., Naeher, L.P. 2016. Review of health effects of wildland fire

smoke on wildland firefighters and the public. Inhal. Toxicol. 28 (3), 95-139.

4. British Columbia Healthlink 2017. Wildfire smoke and your health (B.C.). Accessed

Sept 15, 2017

www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/MajorEvents/

Wildfire%20Smoke%20and%20Your%20Health.pdf

5. Yukon Health and Social Services 2017. Health Effects of Smoke Exposure due to

Wildfires Accessed Sept 15, 2017 www.hss.gov.yk.ca/wildfiresmoke.php

6. Alberta Health Services 2017. Wildfire Smoke and your Health. Accessed Sept 15,

2107 www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eh-wildfire-smoke-and-your-

health.pdf

7. Richardson, L.A., Champ, P.A., Loomis, J.B. 2011. The hidden cost of wildfires:

Economic valuation of health effects of wildfire smoke exposure in Southern

California. J. Forest Econ. 18: 14-35

8. Yuchi, W., Yao, J., McLean, K.E., Stull, R., Pavlovic, R., Davignon, D., Moran, M.D.

Henderson, S.B. (2016). Blending forest fire smoke forecasts with observed data

can improve their utility for public health applications. Atmos. Env. 145, 308-317

9. Air Quality Health Index 2017 www.ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/default.asp?Lang=En

accessed Sept 15, 2017

10. Metro Vancouver 2017. www.metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality/emissions-

monitoring/advisory-status/Pages/default.aspx accessed Sept 15, 2017

11. Elliot, C.T. (2014) Guidance for BC Public Health Decision Makers During Wildfire

Smoke Events. BC Centre for Disease Control. www.bccdc.ca/resource-

gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Health-

Environment/WFSG_BC_guidance_2014_09_03trs.pdf Accessed Sept, 2017