Wildfires pose multiple health dangers

People battling wildfires face physical and psychological dangers

From Holly Firfer
CNN Medical Correspondent

(CNN) -- Wildfires - whether close-at-hand or distant - pose physical and psychological hazards beyond a potential for loss of life and property.

"If you are a couple of miles away and the wind is blowing the smoke away from you, you might be just fine," said Dr. Howard Frumkin, associate professor of environmental and occupational health at Emory University in Atlanta. "But if you are five miles away and the smoke is coming toward you in a concentrated way and you can't escape it, you may have quite a high exposure."

Forest and grass smoke contains particles that can irritate eyes, throat and lungs.

"As you inhale it and it moves down to the lungs, causing more coughing and wheezing -- and the secretion of fluids as you cough -- once that inflammation settles in the airways, the difficulty in breathing becomes more pronounced," Frumkin said.

VIDEO CNN Medical Correspondent Holly Firfer reports on the health dangers from exposure to smoke from wildfires Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   ALSO Montana homes threatened by wildfires    Have a plan You can lessen the psychological impact of a disaster by being better prepared. Have an evacuation plan; list items you may need if you must leave in a hurry. Items to list: Phone numbers: doctors, relatives, insurance contacts Crucial items: medications, medical records, eye wear, personal necessities, identification Items of personal or emotional significance: photographs, letters; blankets or toys for children

Exposure to concentrations of wildfire smoke can cause bronchitis and even chronic asthma. So if you are irritated or coughing, doctors advise leaving the area.

Psychological factors also can come into play, even when the danger is not immediate, according to authorities.

People who are watching fires approach, or who are waiting permission to return to burned-out homes, are "encountering mostly a sense of uncertainty and (a) strong focus on wanting to get information," said Margaret Pepe, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross.

Psychologists say people can tolerate a great deal of physical discomfort when a situation can be viewed as temporary.

"Stress is going to be related to the length of time that people are displaced from their communities," said Pepe.

Psychological stresses can be lessened by thorough preparation, including making lists and having an evacuation plan, according to experts.

Lists to be taken along in an evacuation should include emergency phone numbers such as doctors, relatives and insurance contacts as well as an inventory of crucial items such as medications, medical records, eye wear, personal necessities and identification.

If there is time, a list of items of personal or emotional significance should be made so that these things can accompany you during evacuation, such as photographs, letters and an article of comfort for children such as a blanket, stuffed toy or doll.

Any evacuation plan should include a destination at least 50 miles away where you can settle with your family and pets.

"After a fire or other catastrophic disaster, (people) begin to have a whole range of emotions -- sometimes anger, sometimes grief, sometimes prolonged crying," said Pepe, adding that there also can be "a sense of hopelessness" about being able to re-establish a normal way of life.

Support at this time is crucial, Pepe said.

Also crucial is extreme care when dealing with wildfires and their aftermath.

Dense smoke is unhealthy for anyone, but it is especially dangerous for the very young or old, as well as those who have respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema.

If the smoke isn't bad, firefighters still recommend extra precautions if you stay at home. Shut all the doors and windows, blocking cracks with dam cloths. And turn the air conditioner off.

"That's pulling the air from the outside," said Jim Wright, spokesman for the California Department of Fire Prevention. "Having that system on, you are going to fill the house with smoke far faster."

Also, take care when returning to you home, authorities warn.

Residual odors are a sign of chemical contamination from household products, pesticides and other potentially hazardous materials that also can cause respiratory problems.

In addition, building materials pose dangers in exposed nails, broken glass and shards of metal.

During cleanup, be sure to wear gloves, long pants, closed shoes and eye protection, doctors said.

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