About This Lesson
he majority of California school districts today are at moderate or higher risk for wildfires. Californian students face risks from both devastation to homes and school buildings and from the impact of smoke and particulate pollution. Wildfire smoke is extremely toxic to children – up to ten times more toxic than other forms of air pollution. Wildfire smoke exposure results in worsening childhood asthma, weakened immune systems, increased risk of metabolic disorders, and lower cognitive functioning, among other impacts. In addition, the impact of wildfire smoke has been demonstrated to decrease test scores, in part by leading to significant lost learning days when schools close due to unsafe air quality. Wildfire smoke now drives the vast majority of school closures in California, which tend to last longer than school closures due to other causes.
