Over 52,000 people died in the past decade due to pollution from wildfires in California (USA)

Every year in California and other parts of the United States, vast areas of forest and grassland burn, causing millions of dollars in damage and many deaths. However, according to researchers, the fine dust particles emitted by these fires affect local residents more severely than the direct deaths caused by the fires.

The study found that tiny particles, known as PM2.5, measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller, are causing more deaths. The team looked at data from 2008 to 2018 and isolated the amount of PM2.5 emitted by wildfires. They found that at least 52,480 premature deaths could be attributed to exposure to these particles.

“Wildfire control will become even more important in the coming decades, as desertification exacerbates climate change and more areas are at risk of wildfire,” the researchers said. “These findings have direct implications for California, a leader in climate policy development with high-risk areas and a diverse population that needs to be protected.”

The study comes as much of California and other parts of the western United States swelter in the first heat wave of the year.

Temperatures as high as 49 degrees Celsius hit Death Valley on June 6, while in Las Vegas, temperatures reached nearly 44 degrees Celsius. The heat wave has raised concerns that the wildfire season could become more intense after two relatively mild years thanks to a wet winter.