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It's been

It's been a brutal year for wildfires. Nearly 100 are raging across the U.S. In California,

the Park Fire has gobbled up 400,000 acres since July 24th, making it the fourth largest in

state history.

Worsening wildfires are a result of climate change, which has created drier, warmer conditions for the blazes to flourish.

And that's dangerous for those in the path of the flames, but also downwind.

Kids' lungs are especially vulnerable to the smoke, and some of you are worried.

My name is Evan from Rockton, Illinois.

When I was a kid growing up, we never once saw wildfire smoke coming south

from Canada at least twice over the last five years. My kids have had multiple days where they've had

to stay indoors to avoid smoke exposure and we've had fan volleyball canceled that we do every

week as well. My wife and I because of the smoke as well and

that's just something that I never saw when I was a young kid and now, you know, 25 years later

raising my kids, here I am.

Evan, thanks for that message.

Children's growing bodies are more at risk from climate changes effects like worsening air quality and

rising temperatures than adults.

Why is that the case and how do we keep them safe? We get into it after the break.

I'm Jen White. You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

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