It’s important to note here that no article can truly capture the devastation, fear, and lasting impacts of wildfires. However, here are a few (less-obvious) ways that wildfires can affect a community. Environmental In addition to wiping out the forests, wildfires release several greenhouse gasses and harmful aerosols. These include carbon dioxide, methane, and black carbon. With that being said, wildfires are actually a natural part of many ecosystems. Plants will typically regrow to remove carbon from the affected areas — ideally neutralizing the fire’s effects. However, the larger, more frequent fires we’ve been seeing tend to release greenhouse gasses that may not be counteracted if plants can’t mature before the next fire occurs. Social + Public Health In 2019 alone, wildfires resulted in 3,704 deaths and 16,600 injuries. Beyond injuries and fatalities, wildfire smoke also causes lingering air quality issues. The smoke and ash bring air pollutants and particulate matter into nearby communities. This can greatly impact those closest to the wildfire, like residents, firefighters, and emergency response teams. Plus, it puts those with respiratory and heart conditions at an increased risk. This is because smoke and ashes can cause lingering conditions, such as: Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs Coughing, wheezing, and decreased lung function Bronchitis, asthma flares, lung inflammation Exacerbation of heart and blood vessel diseases, including heart failure Not to mention, wildfire smoke (and its impacts) can linger even if you can't see it. Economic Wildfires have a massive economic impact at the federal, state, local, and individual family levels. Since the year 2000, 15 fires in the US have each caused at least $1 billion in damages. It’s estimated that the total cost of wildfires in 2017 and 2018 exceeded $40 billion. And in 2020, five of the six largest recorded fires burned in California and Oregon, drastically increasing federal and state expenditures.