When you think of air pollution from wildfires, you probably picture the thick plumes of smoke and ash that waft into the atmosphere during a blaze. And if you've lived in an area that’s been enveloped by these emissions, you know to stay inside or wear a mask when the light tints red and gets hazy.
But this thick cloud isn't the only component of wildfire smoke that carries a health risk. Now, new research based on satellite data helps quantify the impact of an "invisible" wildfire pollutant: ground-level ozone. It would appear the yearly human cost of this hidden consequence lies in the thousands.
