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

Person in a sweatshirt picking apples

Protecting crop workers under the sun and smoke

DEOHS research in agriculture industry aims to increase worker health and safety in heat and wildfire smoke

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Mike Yost stands at a lectern, facing a crowd (not visible). He wears a dark jacket and purple tie. In the background is a tall banner.

Leading with community as a North Star

DEOHS Chair Michael Yost steps down after 10 years 

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Yijie Geng, Diana Ceballos and Karen Chen stand in front of a mountain slope and trees.

New DEOHS faculty tour Washington state

Three new DEOHS faculty connect with communities and their environmental health concerns on UW Faculty Field Tour

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Hazy skies with a halo around the sun above mountains, evergreens and a hillside.

DEOHS targets emerging health threats with new population health awards

DEOHS researchers and partners awarded grants to tackle extreme cold, sea level rise, combined heat and smoke, and zoonotic disease

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An oil drilling rig backlit by smoky skies at sunset with windmills in the background.

Wildfires increasingly threaten oil and gas drill sites

Some 3 million people could face compounded health risks in coming decades as a result, according to new study

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Hannah McKinley smiles in front of a bush on the UW campus.

From the ‘COVID years’ to belonging

Hannah McKinley named 2024 DEOHS Outstanding Undergraduate Student

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In the news

DOGE withdraws remaining $866 of UW researcher’s grant, reflecting contradictory mission of the EPA
May 28, 2025 | The Daily | Featured: Elena Austin View

Hurricanes, fires, floods: A rising threat to cancer care
May 20, 2025 | Medscape | Featured: Joan Casey View

In California, flawed air rules threaten farmworkers as wildfires pump more smoke onto fields
May 19, 2025 | Inside Climate News | Featured: Edward Kasner View

DOGE canceled this UW scientist’s grant — to save just $866
May 10, 2025 | The Seattle Times | Featured: Elena Austin View

Exclusive: documents reveal how NIH will axe climate studies
May 8, 2025 | Nature | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View