Tell FEMA, extreme heat and smoke are major disasters! June 17, 2024

In 2023, we experienced record-breaking heat waves that contributed to the death of over 2,300 people and wildfire smoke that spread over hundreds of miles. Skies across multiple states turned an eerie shade of orange and impacted air quality for days on end. As climate change continues to accelerate and we enter another summer of dangerous heat and smoke, the federal government has still not classified these events as “major disasters.”

The health burden of these events is not felt equally; outdoor workers, unhoused people, children, the elderly, and people living in low-income areas are more likely to be impacted and/or lack the resources they need in these situations. To save lives and break the cycle of fossil-fueled climate disasters, the federal government needs to recognize the serious threats of heat and smoke.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the United States’ disaster response agency. FEMA has the power to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as “major disasters,” which would unlock federal support — including financial support — for states and localities in need. This designation could unlock crucial disaster relief funding to better protect workers and at-risk communities by building climate-resilient solutions like cooling centers, indoor air filtration systems, and down the line, localized renewable energy and storage.

Join PSR and our partners in calling on FEMA to protect communities from climate change-induced extreme heat and wildfire smoke.