From April 4 to 8, Fire Fighting in Canada will be sending you new content alongside archived wildfire features and news worth a second look.

Today, we are highlighting stories on wildfires and their impact on firefighter and public health.

Visit www.firefightingincanada.com/topic/hot-topics/wildfire-week/ for round-up of all the latest wildfire news and stories.

Thank you to Waterax for their continued sponsorship and support of Fire Fighting in Canada’s Wildfire Week.

Mix of toxic pollutants left behind in ash after wildfires scorch communities: expert
Wildfires that race through communities, incinerating ingredients that make up modern-day life, can leave behind a trail of toxic metal, says an expert. Michael Brauer, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of public health, said some of the hazardous materials found in ash and soil after a wildfire include asbestos, arsenic, lead and mercury.

Health research priorities for wildland firefighters: Canada
A research project conducted with wildland firefighters and related personnel in B.C., with a goal of identifying occupational health hazards and risks associated with wildfire suppression.

Doctors, air pollution experts forecast worsening health effects of wildfire smoke
Health experts warn that a shift in mindset and new solutions are needed as exposure to smoke from bigger wildfires becomes a regular occurrence. While the longer-term health effects of exposure to wildfire smoke have yet to be thoroughly studied, linkages between disease, death and air pollution in general offer hints, said Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency physician in Yellowknife.

Health risks and mitigation strategies from occupational exposure to wildland fire: a scoping review.
A review of published studies and literature on the health impacts associated with wildland fire fighting that aims to identify the recurring impacts of occupational exposure to wildfires on mental, physical and emotional health due to the increased urgency to understand, prevent and mitigate occupational health hazards.