FEMA Must Recognize Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke as Major Disasters

TUCSON, AZ—As 55 million Americans face extreme heat this week, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and 23 local government leaders from across the country sent a letter(PDF, 944KB)  urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters under the Stafford Act. Today’s letter to FEMA and Department of Homeland Security officials is part of a broader effort to secure critical federal resources necessary to protect communities from the escalating threats posed by these climate-driven catastrophes.

“We are in survival mode,” the letter says. “For communities like ours on the frontlines of these emergencies, FEMA’s support could not come soon enough.”

By declaring extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, FEMA could release funding to help cities address the growing health risks and infrastructure challenges posed by extreme heat and wildfire smoke. This change would unlock essential recovery and mitigation programs that could save lives, such as the development of community resilience hubs, cooling centers, and home weatherization efforts. In the letter, Mayor Romero and her colleagues highlight the disproportionate impact of these disasters on vulnerable populations, including outdoor workers, children, seniors and people with disabilities.

"As leaders of local communities who are living with the catastrophic impacts of extreme heat and wildfire smoke at unprecedented rates, we are urging FEMA to categorize these as major disasters now," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. "FEMA has a responsibility to assist local governments in responding to and recovering from major disasters. To fulfill this duty, FEMA should provide local governments the funding and resources to safeguard their communities from these increasingly common and dangerous climate events. Local governments should not be left to face these severe challenges on their own," added the Mayor.

Heat is the leading disaster-related killer in the United States, killing more people than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Nearly 100 million Americans faced temperature advisories on multiple days this summer. A study released this week shows heat related deaths have doubled over the past 20 years.

Tucson, Arizona’s heat risk is projected to increase, with the summer of 2023 setting a record for the most days above 110°F. This year, desert cities like Phoenix have experienced more nights than ever where night-time low temperatures were 90 degrees or higher. Last year, Maricopa County reported a record 645 heat-related deaths.

Ten people died during a July heat wave in Oregon. Schools closed throughout the East and Midwest this week and events were canceled because of dangerous record-breaking temperatures.

Severe wildfire smoke events are also expected to worsen, putting more people at risk from harmful air pollution. Climate change has significantly contributed to the drying of organic matter, which has doubled the number of large fires in the western United States between 1984 and 2015, according to a 2016 study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). A 2021 study supported by National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) confirmed that climate change is the primary driver behind the rising incidence of fire weather in this region.

Exposure to wildfire smoke, even for short periods of time, can lead to serious health issues. This includes respiratory problems, heart disease, and exacerbation of preexisting conditions like asthma. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, the dangers of smoke-related health effects will grow.

This week, 80,000 acres are burning in Boise’s Salmon-Challis and Sawtooth national forests, closing State Highway 21. Two weeks ago, smoke from Northern California wildfires hit the Bay Area, extending air quality advisories for longer than expected. Earlier this summer Canadian wildfires prompted multiple air-quality alerts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, exposing people to fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants.

As climate change accelerates, the need for a federal, comprehensive response to extreme heat and wildfire smoke is more important than ever.

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