At least three wildfires have broken out in a rural North Carolina county, leading to evacuations and emergency declarations and destroying at least three homes and other buildings.
These fires come as much of western North Carolina is still recovering from flooding driven by Hurricane Helene six months ago.
In recent weeks, sections of North Carolina and South Carolina have been designated an "elevated fire risk" by the National Weather Service due to high winds, low humidity, and rainfall.
GW experts are available to provide insight on a variety of aspects related to wildfires, including climate change, smoke-related health concerns, and prevention strategies. If you would like to speak with one of our experts, please contact GW media relations at [email protected].
Susan Anenberg is the director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and professor and Chair of the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of air pollution, including smoke from wildfires and climate change.
Kate Applebaum is an associate professor in the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational exposures influencing the risk of chronic diseases.
Lisa Benton-Short is a professor of geography at GW and an expert on urban sustainability, environmental issues in cities, and cities and immigration. Her research focuses on the dynamics of the urban environment from many angles, including planning and public space, urban sustainability, globalization, and immigration. Benton-Short can speak to the current wildfire season from a climate change perspective as well as the role of uncontrolled suburban development. She can also discuss how climate change and its effects on natural disasters like wildfires impact cities as well as what cities are doing to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Jonathan Deason is a professor and director of the GW Environmental & Energy Management Institute. His expertise includes all aspects of air quality management, including greenhouse gas management and implications for global climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as environmental management and energy policy.
Amir Afkhami, an expert in psychiatry, holds a joint appointment at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences and the Milken Institute School of Public Health. An expert in psychiatry, much of his current work focuses on psychiatric services and education, behavioral health policy, and the mental health consequences of conflict.
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