Wildfire pollutants contaminate our drinking water long after fires stop burning
Published on Apr. 29, 2026, 8:00 AM
Not just air quality, wildfire smoke impacts water too
When we consider the impacts of wildfires on our health, air quality often comes to mind. We can vividly recall the skies turning orange and the lingering smell of burnt ash.
However, a new study from the University of British Columbia examines the effects of wildfire pollutants on drinking water.
The research reveals that these pollutants can actually increase over time, as rainstorms and snowmelt transport dormant contaminants into streams long after the fires have been extinguished.
Watch the video that leads this article to learn more.