More than 400 deaths related to Los Angeles forest fires, say the researchers

The deadly forest fires that swept Los Angeles this year have probably contributed to hundreds of additional deaths, say that researchers calling for better health monitoring as a result of natural disasters.

While the Canadian communities of British Columbia in Newfoundland Battle Flames and Drifting Smoke, new research from Jama Medical Journal published on Wednesday draws attention to long-term health effects associated with recent forest fires in Los Angeles and Maui, Hawaii.

In total, 30 people died directly from forest fires that burned houses, cars and trees, according to the study.

Andrew Stokes of the Boston University School of Public Health and Finnish researchers now estimate that 440 other people died of fire -related health problems.

Stokes said it could be people with heart or lung exacerbated by smoke. Impacts and delays on mental health in care may also have contributed.

In total, 6,371 deaths were observed against 5,931 expected from previous data, for a total of 440 “excess deaths”. The researchers acknowledged that the data were provisional and not measured factors could have played a role.

Look | Harmful toxins can remain in structures that survive forest fires:

The harmful toxins of forest fires persist in surviving houses

While the evacuated in Los Angeles are starting to consider going home, research suggests that the toxic after -effects of urban forest fires can persist for months in structures that survive the flames.

“Each of these statistics is an underlying person with a family who is now related accordingly,” said Stokes.

Getting an idea of the real burden of health impacts linked to forest fires, including cancers among firefighters who develop years later, can help prioritize resources in the event of a disaster, he said.

Need a proactive approach

More than 100 people died directly from MAUI forest fires in August 2023, which also left one in five followed in the study with pulmonary damage up to 14 months later.

Dr. Sonia Angell, professor in the Department of Epidemiology of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, called for better follow -up.

“If we are rocked in the idea that the impact that the climate has on health is really during the episodes, then we really take behind the ball,” said Angell. “We really lack opportunities to improve health and prevent disease and death.”

Angell said most people saw extreme weather events such as forest fires, hurricanes or earthquakes like extreme shocks in the moment. But health risks do not stop there.

“Our surveillance systems must be improved to really understand the impact of climate and health, so that our health services and governments can be more proactive,” said Angell.

Angell gave the example of the pulmonary function compromised after a forest fire which needs medical care, but which may never have been included in formal counts.

Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency doctor based in Yellowknife who treats patients injured by forest smoke, said that a new approach to showing the health of forest fire fires is important.

“Too many Canadians have now had the experience of living in a smoked environment,” said Howard near Osoyoos, British Columbia

Smoke exposure can cause headache, a flowing nose, throat irritation and cough, she said. Provincial health officials claim that severe cough, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and whistling breathing are less common symptoms.

“I don’t want to scare people, but what is absolutely clear is that the smoke of forest fires is toxic,” said Howard. “It’s very bad for our lungs and we have to reduce our exposure as much as possible.”

Vulnerable at risk

Health Canada estimated up to 240 annual deaths and $ 1.8 billion in health costs are due to the short -term health fire effects.

This week, British Columbia Health Managers in Newfoundland have warned vulnerable residents, such as those over 65, pregnant, young children, people who have underlying medical conditions and those who are practiced physically outside for work or sport, which they are considered a high risk of undergoing effects on smoke health.

Residents of smoked areas are advised to reduce their exposure:

• Keep the windows and the doors closed.

• Limit external and intense activity.
• Turn off or use recirculation parameters on HVAC systems to prevent smoke from entering.

• Use portable HEPA cleaners to filter the air in an area of the house.

• Record yourself and maintain for those who are vulnerable.

Howard said more intense forest fire years in Canada reflect climate change impacts compared to the combustion of fossil fuels and other types of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We believe, have the ability to urgently decrease these greenhouse gas emissions and put us on a different track.”