Wildfires aren’t just burn injuries.

They’re:

• asthma attacks

• COPD exacerbations

• cardiac stress

• dehydration

• mental health strain

Only the Brave highlights firefighter sacrifice, but EDs feel the ripple effects for weeks.

What nurses see

• Inhalation injuries

• Carbon monoxide exposure

• Elderly respiratory failure

• Mass evacuations from nursing homes

Practice pearls

• Early oxygen

• Check CO levels

• Expect delayed symptoms

• Plan for long-term community health effects

Nurse Jamla takeaway

Wildfires are public health disasters, not just fire events.