The University of Alberta’s “Economic Analysis of Health Effects from Forest Fires” calculated that a 2001 blaze near Chisholm caused C$9-12m in health impacts due to smoke and small particles drifting south to Edmonton.
The costs include the increased risk of dying, curtailed activity, lost wages and acute respiratory symptoms.
Researchers said the cost to residents through health impact was greater than any other cost associated with the Chisholm fire, except the estimated C$20m loss of timber.
The study is expected to help forest managers decide which wildfires to fight first, with blazes near cities expected to be given priority over those in remote areas.
