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

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

LEARN MORE
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

In the news

Amid high asthma rates, Snohomish County seeks climate solutions
October 12, 2024 | The Everett Herald | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman, Catherine Karr View

Farm safety advocates talk physical, mental health
September 25, 2024 | Capital Press | Featured: Edward Kasner View

What to expect from the rest of wildfire season…and how to stay safe
September 18, 2024 | KQED | Featured: Joan Casey View

How researchers measure wildfire smoke exposure doesn’t capture long-term health effects − and hides racial disparities
September 16, 2024 | The Conversation | Featured: Joan Casey View

Wildfire smoke can hurt you in surprising ways
August 26, 2024 | Bloomberg | Featured: Joan Casey View