Wildfires in the United States are growing larger because of hotter and drier weather. Even when fires burn far away, smoke can travel to cities and create severe air pollution. This smoke threatens public health and causes big economic challenges.
Air quality numbers can go very high when smoke arrives. Environmental rules improved air quality in the past, but wildfire smoke now damages that progress. Research shows that smoke has erased a lot of that historical work, especially in western states.
Wildfire smoke hurts the economy in three main ways. People stay indoors, so local businesses get fewer customers. Breathing dirty air makes workers less productive. Finally, short-term and long-term health problems cost Americans billions of dollars every year in medical care.
Difficult words
- wildfire — a large fire that spreads quickly in natural areasWildfires
- pollution — damage to air, water, or land from harmful things
- threaten — to be a danger to someone or somethingthreatens
- productive — doing a good amount of work successfully
- erase — to completely remove or destroy somethingerased
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How does wildfire smoke affect people's daily lives and health in your opinion?
- What can cities do when air pollution gets very high?
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