One of the many consequences of climate change is an increase in the frequency, and consequently the impact, of forest fires around the world.

The aim of the publication “The impact of wildfires on mental health: a scoping review”, from the University of Alberta Psychiatry Clinic in Canada, is to summarize the findings on PTSD, depression and anxiety disorder from 254 relevant studies.

The results, summarized by Theodora Psaltopoulou, Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the Therapeutic Clinic of the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, show an increased percentage of these diseases, from the immediate period of the fire to years after.

Warmer temperatures, longer summers and heat waves are all consequences of climate change and contributing factors to the increased frequency of wildfires.

Wildfires pose various public health impacts and risks, including increased morbidity and mortality. As stated in this review, fires destroy homes and workplaces and affect numerous medical conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, hypertension, diabetes.

The impact of wildfires on survivors’ mental health has been found in both adult and pediatric populations, with children and adolescents also experiencing higher rates of post-fire mood and anxiety disorders. Postfire behavioral changes in children may include increased irritability and changes in concentration, sleep, and academic performance.

Fire impacts can be widespread due to the ability of fire-generated smoke to disperse and persist, with the majority of monitoring studies conducted within 1 to 2 years after the fire. However, there is evidence of continued effects on mental health in more longitudinal studies conducted 10–20 years after the fire.

In more detail, with the review of the existing literature it appears that:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

In the adult population, at 6 months after a fire, the prevalence rate of PTSD ranged from 12 to 26%. The researchers concluded that from 3 to 10 years after the fire, the rate of fire-related PTSD dropped from 16% to 8%.

Rates of post-fire psychopathology have also been studied in the pediatric population.

In the subacute phase after the fire, the number of children with significant PTSD symptoms can reach 92%. Studies that assessed the rate of possible PTSD 6 months after the fire found similar results with 9-12% of children and adolescents experiencing moderate to severe PTSD.

Factors that are important in increasing the risk of post-traumatic stress after the fire include personal witnessing the loss of a loved one, loss of home, fear for life or the life of loved ones, significant material damage, or a feeling of lack of support from family, friends and/or the State. For children, a greater predictor of increased emotional distress after the fire was fear for their parents’ lives, even more so than fear for their own lives.

  • Depression

After post-traumatic stress, major depressive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses studied and controlled after natural disasters. It has also been shown that there are higher rates of depression and related symptoms after the fire in adults, which can persist for up to 10 years. In the adult population, studies have found rates of depression approximately 3 months after the fire to be between 25 and 33%.

At 6 months post-fire, estimated rates of major depressive disorder are between 10% and 17%.

Rates of post-fire depression have also been studied in children and adolescents. Depression in children 6 months after the fire was found at a rate of 5%. However, a more recent study found a higher rate of depression 6 months after the fire at 20%.

  • 3. Anxiety disorder

There are also a number of studies investigating rates of post-fire anxiety disorder, although evidence is less than that for post-traumatic stress and depression. Studies conducted after the fire have shown higher rates of anxiety in both adult and pediatric populations.

Among adults surveyed 3 months after the fire, 27% met criteria for an anxiety disorder other than panic disorder, and 17% had symptoms related to panic disorder.

Post-fire stress in children and adolescents has also been studied, although to a lesser extent than in adults. At 6 months after the fire, 14% of the children had symptoms suggestive of an anxiety disorder. At 18 months after the fire 27% of students had suspected anxiety, while another study found no difference in the rate of anxiety disorders between the fire-exposed and control groups.

In conclusion, it appears from the international literature, that the psychological effects of wildfires are significant in all age groups, says Ms. Psaltopoulou.

Therefore, he adds, effective strategies for rebuilding the areas are needed, as well as public health measures and the possibility of psychological support, in order to reverse these effects and minimize their long-term effects.