How Wildfires Affect Our Lives And The Environment

by Jaysen Stanwood

I was talking to some friends at school, and mentioned doing some firebreak work in the afternoon, and Colin and Sofia both asked, “Why?” I was shocked they didn’t realize how dangerous wildfires can be. Our town is in the Pacific Northwest which doesn’t see as many wildfires as California, but the risk is getting greater all the time.

Many people believe wildfires are a distant issue, taking place in remote forests far from the hustle of their urban communities or serene rural lives. Firefighters and other forest professionals know better. The consequences of wildfires impact us all. Wildfires affect everyone.

Wildfires are Directly Connected to Climate Change

Most of my friends care about climate change. The world is changing—summers are getting hotter, winter, colder, and massive storms are causing a lot of problems. In fact, the warming temperatures caused by climate change are resulting in more intense and dangerous wildfires¹. But what is more terrifying is that these wildfires then contribute to climate change.

Wildfires directly feed into climate change by emitting vast quantities of carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas we all know about that traps the Earth’s heat and hikes up global temperatures. While my firefighting group manages forests in the Pacific Northwest of North America, the devastating fires in California in 2019 and 2020 burned thousands of acres of forest. This released 90 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. ² While this is extreme—the average for all wildfires is 14 million tons per year—wildfires are becoming more common and affecting larger areas.

Health Hazards Stemming from Wildfires

Think you’re in the clear because you live miles away from wildfires? Think again. The smoke arising from these fires carries a toxic brew of particulates, hazardous compounds, and carbon monoxide that can travel long distances, posing real health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children.

When British Columbia was burning in 2023, we could feel the effects of the smoke as far south as Oregon. In our town, near Seattle, the smoke made the air quality unbearable many days that summer.

Economic Aftermath of Wildfires

Beyond the visible destruction of homes, communities, and our sense of safety, wildfires have a wider economic fallout. They disrupt local economies, deter tourism, devalue properties, and cause insurance premiums to skyrocket. In 2023, wildfires, drought, and heatwave caused over $20 million in economic losses³.

The Camp Fire in California in 2018 is currently the costliest wildfire of all time. It burned 18,804 structures and 153,335 acres of forest and woodland and cost over $10 billion in 2018 money.

The year before that, the Tubbs fire incurred $8.7 billion dollars in losses.

And remember, even if a fire is relatively small, if it burns down your home, the effects are massive for you.

The Urgent Need for Action

The damage caused by wildfires extends beyond the loss of land and property. They contribute to climate change, pose threats to our health, and take a heavy toll on our finances. Additionally, they ravage habitats, threatening countless species.

Realizing the far-reaching impacts of wildfires is essential, no matter where we are located. By adopting effective forest management strategies like controlled burns, clearing bush, building fire-resistant structures, and more—we can mitigate these risks. On a larger scale, opting for clean energy and sustainable materials can help reduce the fodder these fires feed on.

Let’s work together towards replacing the fire-ravaged landscapes with lush forests. With knowledge, actionable steps, and the intent to inspire others, we hold the power to restrict the devastation caused by wildfires.

Our collective action is the key to mitigate the dangers and impacts of wildfires and pave the way for a more sustainable planet. Let turn the haunting glow of wildfires into a distant memory replaced by vibrant, thriving forests. And let’s change the dryad saying, “humans cause forest fires” into something better, like, “Humans care about their world.”

Klifal, Dear reader and Tsitwash for Reading!

Note: Klifal and Tsitwash are words in Dryadic. Klifal means "Hello" and Tsitwash means "Thanks."

I hope you enjoyed this article! If you liked my unique perspective, you'll love reading my full story in the novel Digital Dryad by Jennifer Kyrnin. Digital Dryad is coming out June 12, 2024, in print and ebook formats.

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Sincerely, Sierra

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