Fires are closer than you think: What Philly residents need to know

As climate change extends dry seasons, the Philadelphia region faces more frequent fires. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Despite western states historically experiencing the majority of wildfires, the Philadelphia region is at an elevated fire risk. Wildfires in Wharton State Forest in Camden County and Franklin Township have recently impacted New Jersey. On both sides of the Delaware River, warehouses and other industrial buildings have burned, including a fire at the EMR metal recycling plant in Camden.

Building fires can be caused by many incidents, but the EMR fire (the building’s sixth) was caused by a lithium battery that wasn’t disposed of properly. Sometimes abandoned buildings are intentionally or accidentally set on fire, and in the case of wildfires, too-dry conditions and something as small as discarding a cigarette can start them.

Climate change is a major factor in those longer dry seasons. Fires also contribute to more fires because they release carbon dioxide, thus accelerating climate change.

Air quality is already troublesome in many urban areas. Transportation and manufacturing lead to pollution beyond the limits the World Health Organization recommends. Add in a fire that emits industrial chemicals in the air, and things become even more unlivable.

Although South Camden residents could smell and see the haze caused by the fire, they weren’t instructed on what to do.

Camden for Clean Air has been a major lifeline for those in affected areas, from installing air quality monitors to handing out pamphlets to political advocacy. However, according to Ben Saracco, a member of Camden for Clean Air, Camden lacks the technology to warn and inform residents about emergency hotel accommodations and how to handle them.

A lot of onus for the local environment has fallen on local nonprofits, including demanding checks and balances to keep residents abreast of what’s happening. Camden for Clean Air installed an air monitor in the area around the last fire using the scale that the EPA uses to measure pollution. “According to the scale, if the score is over 300, it’s like the highest level it can be and be a health emergency,” Saracco explains. “During the most recent fire, I think the monitor we had peaked at 2,500.”

These numbers are alarming to the average person. Vulnerable groups, like those with asthma and the elderly, can experience a major health crisis from breathing toxic air.

Residents may not have the ability to leave. “With the last fire, there were elderly individuals that couldn’t leave,” says Saracco. “Camden is one of the lowest car ownership municipalities in the area, and one with a large population of disabled individuals; the responsibility to evacuate and go to a hotel was on them. That was really not sufficient.”

How to protect yourself from fire-induced air pollution

No amount of pollution from a fire is considered safe. The EPA recommends evacuating if you’re near the fire, even if your home is not at risk. If you plan to stay, and even after returning home, consider these steps to protect yourself:

• When the air improves, open all your windows to let fresh air in
• Consider keeping a high-quality air purifier or HVAC filter
• Close your windows, and close off sources that can bring toxic air inside, such as exhaust fans
• Purchase N95 masks
• Adjust your air conditioning so that the air circulates inside instead of pulling air from outside
• Avoid further polluting your air by smoking indoors, frying food, or burning candles

Photo by Cullan Smith on Unsplash