- Trained fire management teams conduct prescribed burns under specific weather conditions that allow for more control over the fire’s movement. Fire management teams can also monitor the fire more closely because it is moving at a slow pace. These teams are able to limit potential health risks to the public because they can keep the fire away from populated areas or extinguish the fire if needed.
- While the amount of smoke generated from prescribed burns is significantly less than the smoke generated from wildfires, prescribed burns do create some smoke. Smoke exposure can cause smoke irritation, depending on the amount of smoke, how long a person is exposed to it, and how close a person is to the source of the smoke. Symptoms of smoke irritation include itchy/burning eyes, coughing, and difficult breathing.
- Prescribed burn smoke exposure can worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Smoke from prescribed burns can cause reduced visibility on roads which could lead to traffic-related accidents and injuries.
- Some groups are more likely to be exposed to smoke from prescribed burns, and some groups who are exposed to prescribed burn smoke may be more likely to experience symptoms. These groups include:
- older adults,
- the unhoused,
- children,
- pregnant women,
- outdoor workers, and
- individuals with pre-existing health conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD, heart disease, lung disease).
(National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2020; U.S. EPA, 2023; U.S. EPA, 2024; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2023)