SACRAMENTO – (INT) - A new California Air Resources Board (CARB) analysis of air quality data collected during the deadly Camp Fire sheds new light on exactly what was in the thick smoke that blanketed much of Northern California for two weeks in November 2018.

The document shows smoke produced from the Camp Fire exposed Californians to dangerous levels of particulate matter and contained concerning levels of toxic metal contaminants, including lead, which spiked for about 24 hours.

“This report makes it clear that wildfire smoke poses a real health threat not only to people living and working near these fires, but to anyone affected by the smoke as it travels across California and beyond,” said CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey. “After an extremely dry winter, California is facing the potential for another severe wildfire season in 2021. So it’s more important than ever that we all take action to protect ourselves – and our loved ones – from smoke.”

At least 85 people died in 2018 as the Camp Fire became the deadliest in California history. It burned more than 150,000 acres in Butte County, destroying most of the town of Paradise and nearly 19,000 buildings.

Story Date: August 7, 2021