Effects of the Fort McMurray wildfires on the health of evacuated workers: follow-up of 2 cohorts

Abstract

Background: Wildfire engulfed Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 3, 2016, leading to a total evacuation. Access to 2 active cohorts allowed us to rapidly assess health effects in those evacuated. Methods:People working in Fort McMurray who had been recruited before the fire for 2 occupational health cohort studies completed a questionnaire (online or via telephone) 3-26 weeks after evacuation. The questionnaire asked about respiratory and mental health and experiences since the fire. Results:Of the 129 participants, 109 were in the Fort McMurray area on May 3. Thirty-seven (33.9%) of the participants who were in Fort McMurray on May 3 reported a health condition, including respiratory symptoms (n = 17) and mental ill health (n = 17), immediately after the fire. At follow-up, a mean of 102 days after the fire, 11 participants (10.1%) reported a fire-related health condition, including mental ill health (n = 8) and respiratory symptoms (n = 2). There was no difference before and after the fire in use of alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs or medication. One in 4 participants (32 [24.6%]) had not worked since the fire, and fewer than half (58 [44.6%]) had returned to Fort McMurray. Of the 90 participants evacuated, 15 (16.7%) had scores indicative of moderate or severe anxiety or depression on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Those evacuated had significantly higher mean anxiety (p = 0.01) and depression (p = 0.04) scores than those not evacuated. Regression modelling showed that anxiety scores were higher for women, with longer time since the fire and with evacuation to a motel. Depression scores were higher for women and with financial loss because of lack of work. Interpretation:Although evacuation was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores, persisting ill health was not widespread at early follow-up after the fire. Although these results are encouraging, these "healthy worker" results cannot be generalized to all evacuees. Abstract ResearchResearch CMAJ OPEN CMAJ OPEN, 5(3) E639

Work injuries in internal migrants to Alberta, Canada. Do workers' compensation records provide an unbiased estimate of risk?

“…The second source of information was a pilot study set up to investigate occupational injuries in interprovincial workers in and around Fort McMurray, the hub of Alberta's oil and gas industry . Workers were recruited face‐to‐face from a number of sources including a pre‐employment/placement clinic, the hospital emergency room (used as a walk‐in clinic by workers in camps), through a one‐day safety training held daily by the local technical college and through a social club frequented by those from NL.…”

“…No one was recruited through an employer and the name of the employer was not asked in order that respondents could talk freely about unreported injuries. As has been described elsewhere the study was curtailed soon after recruitment by the outbreak of a wildfire in May 2016 which led to the total evacuation of the 80 000 in the town‐site and some 20 000 from surrounding work camps. As a result, prospective data collection on injuries was not possible but information on the most recent injury in Alberta had been collected during the recruitment interview.…”

The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

“…Figure 1 is a flowchart summarizing our search process and outcomes. This review found 60 articles that met the inclusion criteria [13,14,16,17,19,20,22,23,. Three other articles were obtained from review of relevant in-text citations during data abstraction [18,78,79].…”

“…Wildfires destroy homes and workplaces, displace victims, and impact numerous medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and mental health [10][11][12]. Studies have found higher rates post-wildfire of hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and COPD and asthma exacerbation, along with various psychiatric conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders [11][12][13][14][15]. The impact of wildfires on the survivors' mental health has been found in both the adult and pediatric population, with children and adolescents also experiencing higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders post-wildfire [16,17].…”

Scientists’ warning on wildfire — a Canadian perspective

“…Significant mental health problems associated with wildfire disasters have been documented. For example, a study of Fort McMurray residents following the Horse River fire showed increased incidences of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts (Cherry and Haynes 2017;Brown et al 2019). With predicted increases in future fire activity and a growing population, we may very well expect that public health problems, health care costs, health expenditures, and mortalities associated with wildfire may rise in the future.…”