Western wildfires’ health risks extend across the country

Those fires devastating communities in the West send bad air traveling, boosting emergency room visits in the East

A photo of a yellow pasture with and farm in the distance. Behind the buildings heavy dark smoke clouds fill the sky

Western wildfires, like the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., are devastating for local communities. Their smoke also travels to heavily populated areas to the east. Researchers are beginning to study the health effects for people far from the fires.

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

After a relaxing day at the Jersey Shore last July, Jessica Reeder and her son and daughter headed back home to Philadelphia.