California’s Wildfires:
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Health and Climate Risk

| October 27, 2008

In the year since a series of fires ranged through San Diego County, UC San Diego scientists have turned their attention to the blazes in their research. Here are some of their findings and the programs they inspired.

The ‘new’ air pollution
Smoke from wildfires and other burning biomass is more dangerous than previously thought — both to human health and to global climate. New research by UC San Diego scientists has found that wildfire smoke contains tiny particulates that travel long distances beyond the visible smoke itself. Such small particles can lodge deeply within the body when inhaled, causing health problems ranging from asthma to lung disease. That means people far away from the fires may still suffer health risks from the airborne particulates. Researchers from the Division of Physical Sciences and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD have measured the long distances particulates can travel, while Scripps researchers also have discovered that black soot particles from smoke have an atmospheric warming effect three to four times greater than prevailing estimates.  

Hear or read more about research on atmospheric particulates at UC San Diego.

Smoke in your lungs
The UC San Diego Medical Center treated more than 50 burn victims injured during the 2007 fires. Dozens more sought help for shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and coughing caused by breathing smoke. For most people, these symptoms last only a few days or weeks, but a small percentage experience permanent or unexpected outcomes.

Respiratory scientists are collaborating with other university departments to study the impact of particulates on the early development of chronic lung disease and related effects on the immune system.

Emergency Responders
As a leader in disaster preparedness and emergency response, UC San Diego Medical Center was one of the first agencies to receive and care for injured victims, beginning Oct. 21, 2007.  The UC San Diego Regional Burn Center treated more than four dozen burn victims: tragically, two civilian patients did not survive their injuries, but the rest of the 23 patients admitted, some in critical condition, walked out, on their own, within weeks. 

Fast information in an emergency
Computer scientists at the San Diego Supercomputer Center have mapped ordinary patterns of calls to 911 and developed algorithms to detect anomalies and quickly flag them on a visual display to reveal developing trouble spots.

Remotely operated cameras, stationed throughout San Diego County and linked by a wireless network, transmitted more than 10,000 images during last year’s fires. The extra view can help fire chiefs identify new fire fronts with little additional commitment of often strained resources.

Related links:
UC San Diego Wildfire Experts