1063: How Public Health Prepares for Wildfire Season

Wildfire smoke is no longer a rare emergency, it’s a predictable, climate-driven public health threat. In this episode, Gabriella Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health Section Manager, for the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division tells us why health agencies must begin outreach and coordination long before wildfire season starts. Goldfarb walks through Oregon’s collaborative wildfire smoke response protocol, explaining how state, federal, tribal, and local partners translate complex data into timely public health advisories. The conversation explores the growing health risks of repeated smoke exposure, the added challenges of prescribed fires, and how transparent, empathetic communication builds trust. Listeners also learn how Oregon is investing in long-term resilience—through preparedness calls, harm reduction strategies like air filtration support, and broader climate adaptation efforts—to protect communities as smoke, heat, and other climate hazards accelerate.Partnering to Address Health Risks and Expand Communication Before and During Prescribed Fires | ASTHOCommunicating the Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke | ASTHO