The smoke plume from the Dixie Fire—the largest single fire in California state history—got so huge it covered five states. It’s mostly contained now, but at its peak, people across some 2,500 square miles from California to Nebraska, were breathing in a variety of toxins from the materials that fuel the fire, including ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. They were coughing, rubbing their stinging eyes, and having asthma attacks. For people who live in fire-prone areas, each new fire may be increasing their risk of stroke or heart attack. 

People with HVAC systems and air filters usually can protect themselves by staying inside, but wild animals have no escape. As years of poor forest management