The Impacts Of Wildfires And Disaster Recovery On Mental Health
Wildfires and other natural disasters can destroy personal property and impact mental health and well-being. Directly experiencing the impacts of a wildfire can cause depression and trauma, and concerns about climate change and its effects on the natural environment may have increased substantially. These worries may have caused additional stress and anxiety for those living in areas with higher wildfire risk.
Managing mental health conditions related to a natural disaster, including wildfires, may include mindfulness techniques and connecting with a support network of friends and family members. Additionally, therapeutic techniques may help individuals address trauma and reduce anxiety and stress caused by wildfires. Below, examine the impact of wildfire and disaster recovery on mental health and treatment methods for individuals experiencing wildfire-related anxiety or trauma.
The immediate physical and mental health impacts of wildfires
For people living in an area with high fire danger, wildfires can be a source of stress and anxiety. During a wildfire, the body’s fight-or-flight response can be activated, flooding the body with adrenalin and other stress hormones. While this response may be essential for immediate safety, it can have several adverse health effects, including difficulty concentrating and hypervigilance. This stress response may also increase acute anxiety which can cause an elevated heart rate and may be linked to heart attacks.
Wildfires may bring moments of terror as individuals witness the destruction of their surroundings and face imminent threats to their lives and loved ones. The fear of injury, separation, or death can create intense emotional distress. In addition, people who have narrowly escaped danger may replay those moments in their minds, leading to lingering feelings of unease or panic even after the immediate threat has passed. In heavily populated areas, individuals may be impacted by evacuation and uncertainty that can last beyond the initial stages of the fire.
Long-term psychological impacts of a wildfire
After the initial emotional impacts of a wildfire, survivors may experience a range of long-term psychological consequences that can stem from the trauma of loss and the stress of recovery. While individuals’ responses vary, some common long-term mental health challenges can include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The experience of surviving a wildfire may be traumatic and can cause symptoms of PTSD. These symptoms may include flashbacks and intrusive thoughts, emotional numbing, and hypervigilance. After providing assistance, first responders may also experience PTSD.
- Depression: The sense of loss following a wildfire can weigh heavily on survivors. Losing a home, belongings, or loved ones may lead to hopelessness and despair. Survivors may struggle to envision a future, particularly if their financial or social circumstances have been severely impacted.
- Anxiety disorders: The unpredictability of wildfires may create long-term anxiety in survivors, who may live in fear of another disaster. This fear can come in the form of generalized anxiety or a persistent sense of worry about safety or health. People may also experience panic attacks or sudden and overwhelming episodes of fear.
- Substance use disorders: Some individuals turn to alcohol or other substances as a way to cope with emotional pain or numb their trauma. Substance use disorder may begin as a temporary escape but can escalate into a long-term dependency. This pattern not only exacerbates mental health challenges but can also strain relationships and make recovery harder.
Air quality and mental health
Wildfires may negatively impact air quality due to smoke and fire retardants dropped in the initial attack to stop a fire from spreading. These hazardous air pollutants can impact breathing and make spending time outside in the immediate area surrounding a fire difficult. Poor air quality may impact daily life and can contribute to mental health conditions like depression.
How can poor air quality from wildfires impact daily life?
Poor air quality can impact people who may not be in the direct line of the fire. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, which can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing and difficulty breathing. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other lung conditions may be at a higher risk of being impacted by wildfire smoke.
Air quality and depression
Smoke from wildfires may also be a key factor in contributing to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Individuals may become socially isolated when it is smoky outside, staying indoors to avoid respiratory illness or irritation. In addition to social isolation, individuals may find engaging in healthy habits such as exercising or experiencing nature challenging. All of these factors may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms or depression.
Emergency management preparedness strategies
Individuals living in a high-risk area for wildfires may benefit from developing an emergency management preparedness plan. These plans may include evacuation and reunification plans and plans for managing the potential physical and mental health impacts of a natural disaster. Plans may not be specific to wildfires and may be implemented in several crises.
How to prepare for an emergency
One of the first steps in developing an emergency preparedness plan is determining a family reunification point. This spot is where loved ones can reunite outside of the fire zone, where it is safe. You may also consider making a plan for communication if cell phone reception is down.
For fires, having a bag ready with essentials such as N95 masks for smoke, supplies for survival such as food and water, and emergency tools and clothing can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Families with pets or livestock may also create a plan for transporting animals safely if possible. Practicing an evacuation plan using the emergency bag can be an effective way to mentally and physically prepare for a natural disaster.
Mental health preparedness techniques
Outside of physical preparation, you may try to mentally prepare by practicing visualization or guided meditation techniques to stay calm during stressful situations. Deep breathing and other mindfulness techniques can calm the body and reduce the impact of the fight-or-flight response, which may improve focus and decision-making in times of crisis.
Services at disaster recovery centers
During large wildfires or emergencies, cities may set up disaster recovery centers that offer various resources and services. These services can help individuals or families manage the impacts of a natural disaster, and they may provide basic supplies and necessities for survival. Some of the services and resources available at a disaster recovery center may include the following.
Wildfire emergency management services
One of the main services provided at a disaster recovery center may be financial assistance. Experts may be on hand to help people navigate federal grant programs or unemployment benefits, which can help people who have lost homes or jobs due to wildfires. Short-term housing assistance may also be available to help individuals who have lost homes or access to homes during a wildfire.
Potential services at disaster recovery centers
Outside of immediate needs, disaster recovery centers may offer legal assistance to help navigate insurance claims or obtain small business loans to recover losses. Mental health support professionals may also be on hand to provide immediate emotional support to survivors experiencing trauma, grief, or anxiety. Impacted individuals may receive referrals to long-term mental health support through groups or by connecting with a therapist.
Mindfulness strategies to improve mental health
Mindfulness strategies often improve mental health and may reduce the negative mental impacts of living through a disaster. Strategies can include techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, which can reduce anxiety and stress by relaxing the body and mind. Individuals can implement these techniques on their own or in a group setting, which can provide flexibility in managing mental health.
Self-reflection and gratitude may also help to improve mental health during a crisis. Recognizing and acknowledging small positives can help individuals find strength and build resilience while fostering emotional stability in the face of adversity. This may reduce anxiety and feelings of depression during a crisis.
Connecting with a mental health professional
For individuals impacted by a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, connecting with a mental health professional, such as a therapist, may be beneficial. A therapist may be able to consider a natural disaster within the context of a person’s life to develop a unique plan for improving mental health. Therapists may implement several techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to identify and reframe negative thought patterns that may contribute to anxiety and depression. Online therapy can be an effective way to manage feelings of depression and anxiety that may occur during a natural disaster.
Finding a therapist nearby who meets your needs during a natural disaster can be challenging. Online therapy sessions through a platform like BetterHelp may occur from anywhere with a personal device and internet connection. In this way, people can get the care they need from any location. In addition, online therapy is often more cost-effective and can be paid monthly or weekly.
Takeaway
Wildfires and other natural disasters can cause significant disruption in a person’s life and may negatively impact mental health. Individuals who survive a natural disaster may experience trauma, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Strategies to reduce the impact of natural disasters may include mindfulness techniques and relaxation strategies. Online therapy may be an effective way to manage the impacts of wildfires while improving overall mental health and well-being.
Frequently asked questions
What states are the wildfires affecting?
California is the primary state impacted by the 2025 wildfires, especially Southern California and the Los Angeles area. The fires began in the Pacific Palisades as a vegetation fire, spread to areas like Los Angeles County and San Jose, and have had devastating impacts since early January in these fire-prone areas. Over 12,000 structures have been lost, including homes and schools. You can donate to support wildfire relief efforts through organizations like California Volunteers, which may need volunteers in the coming weeks.
How do we stop wildfires?
Preventing wildfires is an individual and community issue. You can do your part by not having campfires outside, avoiding dropping cigarettes or joints, and only burning items in a controlled metal container or a designated burn area. When camping where campfires are allowed, only make a fire inside a pit and put out the fire before you go to sleep. The community can make efforts to prevent wildfires by being environmentally conscious with choices. Corporations can make efforts to make their processes greener, whereas individuals can choose to use public transit, buy minimal-waste products, and reduce consumerism behaviors. Climate change is the primary culprit for overheating and dry climate, so reducing greenhouse gas emissions may also reduce fire risk and stop fires like the California fires.
What is the biggest wildfire in US history?
The most extensive wildfires in US history were the Great Fire of 1910 and the Miramichi Fire of 1825. These fires may have gotten out of control mainly because there were not as effective fire relief efforts at the time, and being able to extinguish the fire was difficult for American firefighters of the era. The Miramichi fire burned over three million acres, prompting a mass evacuation order. These main large fires caused additional fires.
How long do wildfires usually last?
Before fire relief efforts, fires lasted an average of eight days. Some fires may have burned for over a month during this time. Most fires in the current day are extinguished quickly, within a week or less, as fire extinguishing efforts have improved since the 1800s and 1900s. Many areas are at risk of longer fires during fire season in the late summer, fall, and early winter.
What caused the LA wildfires?
The LA wildfires and Eaton fire on Monday morning and Tuesday morning were caused by the Palisades fire, which was thought to have been caused by humans during fire season due to “fire weather” that caused dry vegetation to take flame. Individuals cause the most active fires, so fire safety is often considered the best prevention method for wildfires, such as the one in LA in 2025, especially in a dry and hot climate. The East Coast also gets fires, but California gets the most new fires in the United States. Leave immediately if you get evacuation warnings or a red flag warning about the fires. If you stay in a fire evacuation zone, you may be at increased risk of getting stuck in your home.
Why is California known for wildfires?
California has many wildfires because of its dry and hot climate. Even a small spark can start a fire when around flammable objects or dry grass. For this reason, working on preventing climate change is one way to prevent wildfires.
What are some scary facts about fires?
Below are some fire-related facts from the Bel Aire Fire Department:
- There were almost two million fires in the US in 1998, killing almost 5,000 Americans.
- Apartment fires most often start in one’s kitchen.
- The South of the US has the highest fire-related death rate.
- 80% of fire-related deaths happen at home.
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