Orange Haze: My First Wildfire Season
Story provided by Jenny Ellis; Written by Melody Irvine
Growing up in Basin, Montana, in a town with a population of 250 in a narrow canyon, my summers were spent all day, every day outside. In 2001, when I was 11 years old, I experienced my first wildfire smoke event. This smoke event caused a departure from the many days I spent outdoors. The smoke was dense, covering the mountains and casting an eerie orange haze at sunset. This orange haze was an unsettling sight I'd never seen before. The adults in my life, who usually encouraged outdoor play, urged us to stay indoors and told us it wasn't healthy outside due to the smoky air. They tried to keep us entertained with art and craft projects. However, this restriction was still unusual and confusing, marking my introduction to what we now call "wildfire smoke seasons."
Having lived my whole life in Montana, from Basin to attending the University of Montana in Missoula, I have witnessed fire seasons increase in severity. Missoula's valley often traps smoke, creating a heavy, lingering haze during bad fire years. Now, at 34, I reflect on how the landscape has shifted. Summers have become hotter and drier, increasing wildfire risks. Living in one place for so long, you get the full breadth and picture of the changes that are happening. This is both a privilege and a scary realization.
Today, working in my community's health department, just 30 miles from where my first experience with wildfire smoke was, it's surreal. In my role, I have gained a deeper understanding of our wildfire smoke seasons and the impacts on human health, including trouble breathing, fatigue, headaches, and an increased risk of respiratory illness, among many other effects. It's a full-circle moment to connect my childhood experience of smoke to this work. It motivates me to contribute as much as I can in my little bubble to make a difference and protect my community. I am making a difference by raising awareness and promoting precautions such as using air purifiers or reducing exposure by staying indoors.
This story originates from a conversation with Jenny Ellis, the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department.
