Warren Dodd1, Patrick Scott2, Courtney Howard3,4,5, Craig Scott6, Caren Rose7,8,9, Ashlee Cunsolo10, James Orbinski11,12,13. 1. School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. wdodd@uwaterloo.ca. 2. Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. 3. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. 4. Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. 5. Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 6. Ecology North, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. 7. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 8. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 9. Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 10. Labrador Institute of Memorial University, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada. 11. Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 12. Faculty of Health, School of Health Policy & Management, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 13. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: During the period of June-September 2014, the Northwest Territories (NWT) experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with prolonged smoke events and poor air quality. In the context of climate change, this study sought to qualitatively explore the lived experience of the 2014 wildfire season among four communities in the NWT. METHODS: Our team conducted 30 semi-structured interviews in four communities (Yellowknife, N'Dilo, Detah, and Kakisa). Interviewees were purposively sampled to include a broad cross-section of backgrounds and experiences. Interviews were video recorded, and the audio portion of each interview was transcribed to facilitate analysis and theme generation. RESULTS: Interviewees reported how their experiences of evacuation and isolation as well as feelings of fear, stress, and uncertainty contributed to acute and long-term negative impacts for their mental and emotional well-being. Prolonged smoke events were linked to extended time indoors and respiratory problems. Livelihood and land-based activities were disrupted for some interviewees, which had negative consequences for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Individual and community stories of adaptation and resilience prior to and during the summer, including the opening of indoor recreational spaces, were shared; however, there was consensus about the need for improved risk communication and coordination at the community and territorial levels to address similar events in the future. CONCLUSION: Coordinated community-based education, communication, and adaptation initiatives that are inclusive of local knowledge, values, and context are needed to address the expressed needs of community members associated with prolonged smoke events and wildfire seasons.
OBJECTIVES: During the period of June-September 2014, the Northwest Territories (NWT) experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with prolonged smoke events and poor air quality. In the context of climate change, this study sought to qualitatively explore the lived experience of the 2014 wildfire season among four communities in the NWT. METHODS: Our team conducted 30 semi-structured interviews in four communities (Yellowknife, N'Dilo, Detah, and Kakisa). Interviewees were purposively sampled to include a broad cross-section of backgrounds and experiences. Interviews were video recorded, and the audio portion of each interview was transcribed to facilitate analysis and theme generation. RESULTS: Interviewees reported how their experiences of evacuation and isolation as well as feelings of fear, stress, and uncertainty contributed to acute and long-term negative impacts for their mental and emotional well-being. Prolonged smoke events were linked to extended time indoors and respiratory problems. Livelihood and land-based activities were disrupted for some interviewees, which had negative consequences for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Individual and community stories of adaptation and resilience prior to and during the summer, including the opening of indoor recreational spaces, were shared; however, there was consensus about the need for improved risk communication and coordination at the community and territorial levels to address similar events in the future. CONCLUSION: Coordinated community-based education, communication, and adaptation initiatives that are inclusive of local knowledge, values, and context are needed to address the expressed needs of community members associated with prolonged smoke events and wildfire seasons.
Authors: Daniel A Jaffe; Susan M O'Neill; Narasimhan K Larkin; Amara L Holder; David L Peterson; Jessica E Halofsky; Ana G Rappold Journal: J Air Waste Manag Assoc Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 2.235
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Authors: Kristie L Ebi; Jennifer Vanos; Jane W Baldwin; Jesse E Bell; David M Hondula; Nicole A Errett; Katie Hayes; Colleen E Reid; Shubhayu Saha; June Spector; Peter Berry Journal: Annu Rev Public Health Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 21.870
Authors: Francisca N Santana; Courtney Hammond Wagner; Nina Berlin Rubin; Laura S P Bloomfield; Erica R Bower; Stephanie L Fischer; Bianca S Santos; Gemma E Smith; Caroline T Muraida; Gabrielle Wong-Parodi Journal: Sustain Sci Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 6.367