Wildland Fire Smoke: Climate Change, Air Quality, and Protecting Public Health

Invited presentation to North Carolina Teachers (K-12) that are part of the Kenan Fellows Program and are Mountains to Sea Scholars.  As part of the curriculum the teachers are exposed to revolves around climate change, this presentation will focus on the intersection of climate change and wildfire, with a specific emphasis on wildfire smoke.  The presentation will highlight the health implications of wildfire smoke, what this means for North Carolina, and the actions that can be taken to reduce smoke exposures and protect public health. 

Impact/Purpose

This invited presentation will educate North Carolina teachers (K-12) that are part of the Kenan Fellows Program and Mountains to Sea Scholars on the role of climate change on increasing wildfire and the public health implications of wildfire smoke.  This will include an overview of what is in wildfire smoke, why it is a health concern, and the actions and interventions that can be taken to reduce exposure and subsequently health effects.  In addition, the presentation will provide an overview of the role of prescribed fire within the broader wildfire story, and what this means for North Carolina. 

Citation

Sacks, J. Wildland Fire Smoke: Climate Change, Air Quality, and Protecting Public Health. Kenan Fellows Program - Mountains to Sea Scholars, Raleigh, NC, November 07, 2024.