Wildfire smoke this year woke up places unaccustomed to its effects. Now what?
Wildfires worsened by climate change spewed smoke over much of North America this year. It's a new reality Americans haven't yet processed: how dangerous the smoke is for human health.
This summer, millions of people across the eastern U.S. woke up one June morning to apocalyptic orange skies and thick, choking wildfire smoke.
Over the summer, massive Canadian wildfires blanketed central and eastern North America with smoke that lingered on and off for months, sending hundreds of people to the hospital. The unprecedented smoke, which showed up in parts of the country where it had never before been a problem, highlighted the growing and inescapable health risks from climate-related issues. And it showed how far many places have to go to help people protect themselves from the risks.
"The research coming out clearly shows that wildfire smoke is more toxic
