Vegetation fires have negative effects on both the environment and on the health of people who are directly affected by the smoke produced by them. Specialists offer some essential tips to protect us.
The smoke can be extremely harmful to the lungs of those affected by fires. Photo: ISU Hunedoara
Last year, in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, almost two million hectares were affected by fires, Fire-Res shows a European project to reduce the impact of vegetation fires.
Of these, 420,000 hectares were included in fires in the states of the European Union, some of the burns taking place on the territory of some parks and natural reserves.
“In 2024, Europe had an average vegetation season. The intermittent rains during the summer contributed to limiting the spread of fires and maintained the situation under control. Among the affected countries, Turkey, Italy, Romania and Portugal have registered a significant number of hectares.” inform a report published by Fire-Res.
Almost 500,000 hectares have been included in vegetation fires in the United States, since the beginning of 2025, and the most violent fires, erupted in California in January, killed at least 12 people and destroyed thousands of buildings.
Vegetable fires aggravate respiratory problems
Reza Ronaghi, a specialist in lung disease in Los Angeles, who lost her house after a fire that broke out in January, when the flames expanded and “swept” the neighborhood full of houses, shops and cafes where she lived, in an article for The Washington Post, that the air pollution, including the one, may affect the one.
“The reality is that, although most people will never have such a direct meeting with a fire, they have become a part of modern life. Compared to two or three decades ago, today’s vegetation fires are more frequent, more intense and for longer periods.”he says, referring to the situation in the United States.
The increasing number and damages caused by vegetation fires have become a serious problem in Romania, and despite the fines that those who fire their fields, the phenomenon could not be stopped.
“When it comes to acute health effects caused by smoke pollution from vegetation fires, certain categories of people are more vulnerable. These include not only patients with pulmonary disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but also children, the elderly and people with heart disease. Develop symptoms such as a sensation of chest constriction, cough and irritated or tears. writes the pneumologist.
It offers some essential recommendations to those living in areas affected by fires.
Check the air quality
One of the specialist’s recommendations aims to monitor reports on air quality, which can be accessed through applications installed on mobile phones.
“If the vegetation fires are reported in your region, check the local air quality index regularly (AQI), the way in which the Environmental Protection Agency keeps the public with the daily changes in air pollution and recommends actions to protect lung health. Fortunately, our phones do this very easily.”explains the doctor.
One of the recommended applications to track the AQI is Weather Channel, but there are other good options, including some that include fire and smoke maps. AQI is a valuable resource for monitoring the air pollution level from any source, not just fires.
“Do not rely on the visual sense to appreciate whether the outside air is safe. When they burn large areas of vegetation, it generates pollution full of microscopic particles that can be inhaled deep in the lungs. Until the air is seen ‘dirty, the Aqi index has already exceeded the hazard threshold,” warns the doctor.
Respiratory masks are required in case of exposure to smoke
Dr. Reza Ronaghi recommends that people, when the air quality reaches a level that endangers their health, limit the time spent outside. If they need to go out, they should wear respiratory masks.
“They are designed to filter most air -aircraft particles, which is commonplace or surgical masks cannot. However, some clarifications: some N95 or upper type masks are not designed for children or people with a bearded Breathing, consult the doctor before using them ”, shows the doctor.
Clean air in homes
The specialist advises people to reduce as much as possible the polluted air into homes and cars. Those exposed to the smoke produced by the vegetation fires are advised to keep the windows closed, and if they use the air conditioners, set them on the recirculation and close the fresh air intake.
“For additional protection at home, consider the use of a portable air purifier with the HEPA filter, which can reduce the fine particles and other pollutants that are circulating inside. Such a single room or area in the house, so you may need more. It is also important not to aggravate the problem of the air quality, It can temporarily raise and disperse the existing particles in the house, as opposed to those with HEPA filter ”the doctor shows.
If vegetation fires take several days, people are advised to make water and food supplies, so that they can go over the most difficult days with smoke, avoiding outings. The rarely it has to get out of homes, the better.
Cleaning after fire, with great care
When the fires affect the homes, after their extinction, cleaning the dirty or sooty areas from housing should not be regarded as a routine job, adds the specialist.
Vulnerable categories should avoid those areas, and anyone who deals with cleaning should wear an adequate mask.
“In my case and my wife, there was no cleaning, but we returned to the place where our home had been. And that raises other problems. When houses, cars, business and everything inside them, remains a mixture of toxins, including heavy metals, plastics and asbestos. A little, a N95 mask ”says Dr. Reza Ronaghi.
