Three new studies are offering a startling perspective on the long-term impacts of the wildfires in Maui in 2023 and Los Angeles earlier this year. Researchers say the cost to human health is much higher than the death toll immediately recorded from the fires.

NEW YORK (AP) — The toll of wildfires is usually counted in acres burnt, property destroyed and lives lost to smoke and flames. But three studies published Wednesday suggest the cost to human health from the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires was substantially higher.