Wildfire smoke will worsen, new study shows, and protections are few

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Climate change is amplifying wildfires, and more smoke means higher risk of heart and lung disease from inhaling tiny particles that can drift far and wide, researchers said. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist at the UW Climate Impacts Group, is quoted in this article from the New York Times. 

How the Canadian wildfire smoke could shift Americans’ views on climate

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As climate change dropped its calling card on the East Coast last week in the form of thick, dangerous smoke, millions of Americans and Canadians shared the jarring experience — forced to retreat indoors, cancel plans, wear masks and breathe hazardous air. The smoke that Canadian wildfires sent swirling over swaths of North America blanketed cities including New York, Philadelphia and Toronto, shocked many Easterners, broke air quality records and threatened people’s health. It also created a window, climate experts say, for catching people’s attention. Meade Krosby is quoted. 

“When these events happen, they’re a really important opportunity for helping the public make the connection between these kinds of events and climate change, and helping them understand what they can do.” – Meade Krosby, senior scientist, UW Climate Impacts Group

 

Scientists: Warming climate ‘loads the dice’ for wildfire in west Cascades

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Record heat made the Cascades ripe for a fire like Bolt Creek. Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted. 

“A large wildfire on the west side is a little bit like an earthquake,” Raymond said. “It could be pretty severe. It’s pretty rare. We need to practice for it because we don’t know how it’s going to go down.” 

Red flag fire warning in Cascades

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The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the western slopes of the north and central Cascades until Friday evening. Dr. Crystal Raymond is interviewed in this KING5 story. 

Microsoft, Amazon Urge Climate Mitigation At Wash. Summit

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Washington’s insurance industry took a look at the threat of climate change in a summit that included input from executives at Microsoft and Amazon. Amy Snover, who spoke at the summit, is quoted.

“[Climate impacts] will reshape our communities and ecosystems in the Northwest, and climate change matters for all of these communities and ecosystems because they were built and they evolved to cope with the climate of the past. Climate change shifts the foundation of everything that we depend on and everything that’s around us.” – Amy Snover