Study Finds Wildfires Contributing to Increased Smog Levels in the US

A study published in the journal Science indicates that smoke from wildfires is reversing progress made in reducing smog levels in the United States since 2015. The national smog level decreased by 11% from 2003 to 2015 due to federal regulations, but has since increased by 4% as wildfires have become more frequent and severe. Lead author Weizhi Deng, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Iowa, suggests that if this trend continues, smog levels could return to 2003 levels within 20 years. The study estimates an increase of 318 deaths per year due to ozone-related health issues since 2013. The researchers utilized artificial intelligence to create a nationwide dataset of ozone levels, compensating for the limited coverage of smog monitors by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study highlights the need for improved air pollution monitoring to better understand the impact of wildfire smoke on public health. The average area burned by wildfires in the U.S. has increased by 9% compared to the period from 2003 to 2014, with significant contributions from Canadian wildfires in recent years. The 2023 Canadian fire season was particularly severe, leading to an estimated 33,000 deaths in the U.S. due to particle pollution.