An increasing number of Americans are embracing outdoor recreation and exploring national parks. However, the worsening smoky conditions caused by larger and more severe wildfires pose risks to air quality across the country.
Wildfire smoke is a threat to human health and well-being, especially when people are exposed for prolonged periods or engage in physical activities like hiking in national parks.
In a study published in Ecosphere, Matthew Clark, a doctoral student at Boise State University, examined whether wildfire smoke would deter visitors from national parks, particularly those most affected by the smoke.
The study found that even significant amounts of smoke were not enough to discourage visitors. National park attendance remained steady regardless of the presence of smoke, as Clark himself experienced during a climbing trip to Yosemite. Despite the high levels of smoke, he and his climbing partner decided to proceed with their plans. Clark later admitted, “I regretted it later, my lungs were burning.”
Clark and his team expanded on previous research by analyzing overall visitation data from 1980 to 2019, rather than just campsite reservations. This allowed them to understand the total number of visitors to the park, including day trippers and hikers who prefer not to camp overnight.
They employed breakpoint modeling, a statistical method, to identify threshold points in the data. The models helped analyze the level at which people would potentially stop visiting national parks due to wildfire smoke.
Surprisingly, the data did not show a significant deviation in park attendance, even during extremely smoky conditions.
Clark pointed out that the study only focused on trends and did not explore the reasons behind visitor behavior. People who visit national parks often invest significant time and money in their trips, making them less inclined to alter their plans due to the possibility of smoke.
The key is to educate park visitors on how to safely navigate smoky periods, such as staying indoors, engaging in less strenuous activities, and limiting exposure. Monitoring smoke levels in different park locations and providing alternative activities can help ensure visitor safety. Understanding visitor perceptions of smoke is crucial for planning the future of national parks.
More information:
Matthew Clark et al, Increasing wildfire smoke has limited impacts on national park visitation in the American West, Ecosphere (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4571
Citation:
Study finds that wildfire smoke levels have yet to affect attendance numbers at US national parks (2023, June 29)
retrieved 29 June 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-06-wildfire-affect-national.html
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Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
