In the summer of 2023, the wildfires near Kelowna spread rapidly, fueled by record-high temperatures and dry conditions. As the flames encroached upon homes and farmland, thousands of residents were forced to flee. For many, the physical health impacts were immediate respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation became widespread, and emergency services were stretched thin. However, the emotional toll was also heavy. The uncertainty of losing homes, the fear of family separation, and the anxiety about future wildfires shattered mental well-being. This event not only impacted the local population’s physical health but also left scars on their mental health, further exacerbating the ongoing mental health crisis triggered by climate-related disasters.
