The health effects of wildfire smoke

Worker approaches a blazing wildfire in a forest.

DEOHS wildfire experts are investigating how smoke affects our health and strategies to reduce its impacts

 

DEOHS wildfire smoke experts were featured in a recent webinar hosted by the UW School of Public Health

Wildfires are natural and inevitable in our forestlands. Climate change is making our wildfire seasons longer, hotter and more dangerous.

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) has a long history of leading research into the impacts of wildfires on human health.

Through our research and outreach activities, DEOHS faculty and students are building our understanding of how wildfire smoke can damage our health and the best ways to protect people and communities from harm.

Learn about our impact, research and expertise below.

Our impact

Wildfire smoke behind a mountainous landscape with fields in the foreground.

Indigenous communities in California are disproportionately exposed to wildfire smoke

DEOHS faculty member Joan Casey and colleagues assess long-term exposures to wildfire smoke with an environmental justice lens

LEARN MORE
Smoky skies over the buildings, bridges and river of Spokane, Washington.

Preparing Washington’s second largest city for wildfire season

DEOHS researchers partner with Gonzaga University and others to make Spokane “smoke ready” with $1.1 million EPA grant

LEARN MORE
A woman in a hard hat, safety jacket and gloves sets fire to a pile of brush with trees in the background.

Prescribed burning reduces wildfire smoke impacts

DEOHS-led research helps California forest managers assess smoke hazards from prescribed burns

LEARN MORE
Smoky skies over the Seattle skyline looking west to Olympic Mountains.

Climate change causing ‘indisputable’ harm to our health

5th National Climate Assessment authors include DEOHS climate experts

LEARN MORE
A traffic sign is partially submerged in flood waters.

Preparing the Northwest for disasters

CDC funds UW to take first steps toward regional public health emergency preparedness center

LEARN MORE
A large home sits in the foreground with wildfire and smoke on the hillside behind it.

Wildfire smoke tied to increased risk of ER visits

DEOHS-led research finds people of all ages at increased risk of emergency room visits following wildfire smoke exposure

LEARN MORE

In the news

California wildfire smoke impacts Indigenous communities nearly 2x more than expected
March 1, 2024 | EcoWatch | Featured: Joan Casey View

Risk of wildfire smoke in long-term care facilities is worse than you'd think
January 22, 2024 | CBS News | Featured: Savannah D'Evelyn View

How wildfires can spread cancer-causing chemicals
December 12, 2023 | Washington Post | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman View

Study: Western U.S. wildfires undo 2 decades of air quality progress
December 4, 2023 | Axios | Featured: Jeremy J Hess View

Earth just experienced the hottest 12 months ever recorded
November 9, 2023 | Associated Press | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View