Drought and Wildfire Impacts on Air Quality and Public Health in Oregon

Abstract

Drought, a prolonged meteorological phenomenon characterized by deficits in precipitation, soil moisture, and water availability, poses significant environmental, economic, and health challenges. It is often exacerbated by elevated temperatures, which increase evaporation rates and reduce water retention in soils and reservoirs (Trenberth et al., 2014). The hydrological cycle, which describes the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans, plays a crucial role in shaping drought conditions (Figure 1). Precipitation replenishes surface and groundwater supplies, while evaporation and transpiration return water to the atmosphere. However, disruptions to this cycle, such as decreased precipitation, excessive evaporation, and altered runoff patterns, can lead to prolonged dry periods and widespread water shortages.