The effects of wildfires may linger for years after the blazes are extinguished, a new report on Maui highlights. Three years after wildfires caused over 100 deaths and destroyed thousands of buildings on the Hawaiian island, many residents continue to experience health and mental health challenges.
The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, led by University of Hawaii researchers, found that while living and economic conditions have generally improved, people are still struggling with issues such as poorer lung functions, higher blood pressure, and mental health challenges. Nearly half of all adults in the study reported depressive symptoms, with almost one in five experiencing post-traumatic stress. The study, which screened over 2,500 participants, also noted increases in severe depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, blood pressure readings, and obesity levels among children and adolescents.
Alika Maunakea, co-director of the study, stated that the biological, emotional, and social consequences of a disaster do not disappear at the same rate as debris removal or reconstruction. Researchers emphasised the need for long-term monitoring and intervention following major wildfire events due to these lasting impacts.
Current ferocious wildfires across North America and Europe, worsened by the climate crisis, have incinerated homes and forests, forcing thousands to flee. Nearly 1,000 fires are active in Canada's boreal forests, causing evacuations and toxic smoke. In the US, vast fires in Washington, eastern Oregon, and Idaho have created a smoke plume that could reach Florida. Europe has also seen huge fires in parts of the UK, France, and Spain, leading to the evacuation of over 250,000 people.