Rapid Arctic warming has increased wildfire frequency and intensity, leading to substantial deterioration of air quality. This study uses the Community Earth System Model to quantify the health impact of PM2.5 from Arctic Council wildfires, both locally and in neighboring countries. An estimated 21,000 excess deaths are attributed annually to Arctic Council wildfires, with ~8000 occurring outside Arctic Council states. Despite increased wildfire-sourced PM2.5, the overall health impact decreased during 2001–2020, likely due to a northward shift in Siberian wildfires, reducing their impact on densely populated areas.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Apr 13, 2024
Authors
Ben Silver, Steve R. Arnold, Carly L. Reddington, Louisa K. Emmons, Luke Conibear
Tags
Arctic warming
wildfires
PM2.5
air quality
health impact
excess deaths
environmental study
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